John Stewart Dunlop

January 13, 1937 – April 12, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stewart, who left us on Saturday April 12 at the age of 88 due to complications from Alzheimer’s.  Stewart is predeceased by his parents John (JP) and Florence, and his brother Gordon.  He is survived by his wife Evelyn, brother Douglas (Linda), daughter Lorna (Bob), son Chris (Anne), grandchildren Jen (Elana), Kelsey (Adam), Megan (Morgan), Isaac and Matthew, and great grandchildren Quinn, Rylan, Hayden, Bowen, Leighton and Tilly.

With Stewart’s passing, we lost an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and a wonderful friend to many.  Stewart was born January 13, 1937, in Glasgow, Scotland.  The first son of JP and Florence Dunlop, he was later joined by brothers Gordon and Douglas. As a child, Stewart had fond memories of visiting his grandmother in Blackpool.  He grew up with an avid love of golf and excelled at it, eventually becoming Captain of the Glasgow University golf team.  Stewart’s Christian faith was integral to his life, and he was actively involved in running Scripture Union summer seaside missions in Whiting Bay and St. Andrews.  Given an opportunity to teach in Canada, Stewart moved to Winnipeg where he taught for two years at the University of Manitoba.  It was during this time he met the love of his life, Evelyn Grace Litke, who would become his wife of 63 years.

Stewart and Evelyn spent the next 18 years in Glasgow, where Stewart taught in the Geography Department at Jordanhill College.   He also authored several textbooks on the subjects of geography and the environment.  Stewart and Evelyn welcomed their daughter, Lorna, followed by their son Chris.  The family loved to travel, spending many summers back in Winnipeg and in Europe traveling around in a VW van.  But a favourite destination was closer to home, in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, where Stewart had spent his formative summers with friends and family boating and on the golf course.

In 1980 the family emigrated to Victoria where Stewart began teaching Geography and Economics at St. Michael’s University School.  He and Evelyn were faithful attendees of Emmanuel Baptist Church.  Stewart enjoyed golfing at Uplands Golf Course and working out at the Oak Bay Rec Centre.  As the family grew, Stewart became famous for officiating birthday parties for the grandchildren and all the kids have fond memories of him.  He also enjoyed researching his ancestry and wrote a book about his family history.

After retiring, Stewart and Evelyn continued to travel extensively.  The last few years, as Stewart began to suffer from the effects of Alzheimer’s, travel became limited, but Stewart continued to enjoy spending time with friends and family. 

Everybody who met Stewart knew him as a kind, gentle man whose character they admired.  He was also known for his keen sense of humour, unending generosity, and his thoughtfulness and integrity.  All we can say is, he was simply the best, and we are all so honoured to have been a part of his life.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at 2:00pm Friday May 9th at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Victoria.  In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to the Alzheimer’s Society.

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