Former Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice I. Daniel Stewart died Thursday, June 23, 2005, at age 72.
Justice Stewart served on the Utah Supreme Court from January 1979 to January 2000 and became the first associate chief judge elected to the position by his peers on the court rather than to assume the position by seniority. Recognized for his intellect and writing, Justice Stewart penned more than 530 majority opinions, as well as 300 concurring and dissenting opinions. His dissenting opinions in particular were known for being articulate and often sharp.
"Former Justice Daniel Stewart served the people of the state of Utah with great distinction and integrity for many years," Utah Chief Justice Christine Durham said. "He will be long remembered for his intellect and for his character."
Justice Stewart also had the distinction of serving on the court while confined to a wheelchair. He contracted polio at age 23 while on a mission to Germany for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Deseret News followed his story under the heading "The Dan Stewart Story" as he struggled to regain his health and return to law school.
Justice Stewart graduated valedictorian of his 1962 class at the University of Utah law school and spent time working for the anti-trust department in Washington, D.C., before returning to teach law at the U.
The Utah State Bar named him Appellate Court Judge of the Year in 1986.
Prior to joining the Utah Supreme Court, Justice Stewart had been a managing partner in the law firm Jones, Waldo, Holbrook and McDonough.
Funeral details have not been released.