Loran Stewart, 93;Lumber Baron,Oregon Lawmaker
Loran LaSells “Stub” Stewart, 93, timber baron and Oregon legislator who fought for state parks and public beach access, died Sunday in Eugene, Ore., of congestive heart failure.
A native of Cottage Grove, Ore., Stewart grew up among loggers and miners, graduated from Oregon Agriculture College (now Oregon State University) and served in the Army during World War II.
After making his fortune, he served as a university trustee and contributed liberally to his alma mater, providing more than $1.5 million for its forestry program, marine mammal research, and science and athletics programs.
With his brother and brother-in-law, Stewart bought Bohemia Lumber Co. in 1948 and diversified it into modular home construction, land development and marine construction.
The company also acquired a tourist railroad, a Hawaiian restaurant, a country club and an oceangoing tugboat service, and dabbled in gold mining and dam building.
Stewart served three terms in the Oregon House of Representatives in the 1950s. He was also chairman of the state Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and its successor, the Oregon Parks Committee, for nearly 30 years.
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