Stewart Udall presents Santa Fe Community Foundation President, Billie Blair with the Stewart Udall Environmental Award, Sept. 2009
Stewart Udall was a member of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust board of directors since the organization’s inception in 1993, serving as Chairman of the board from 1999 to 2000. Stewart was instrumental in the creation of the National Rail Trail movement and inspired SFCT to help create the Santa Fe Rail Trail. He was the quintessential conservationist; conserving habitat, wildlife, energy and land– wherever and whenever he could. During 50 years of public service, in roles ranging from best selling author to presidential adviser to gadfly attorney, he dedicated himself to conservation, land stewardship and the common good.
The Udall Family has requested that contributions be made to SFCT in Honor of Stewart Udall
Donations can be made through PayPal or you may send your donation to
Santa Fe Conservation Trust
PO Box 23985
Santa Fe, NM 87502
Read Stewart’s moving letter to his Grandchildren
Order Books by Stewart Udall from our partner Collected Works Bookstore
University of Arizona Library Manuscript Collection on Stewart L. Udall – includes articles, speeches and images
Watch New Mexico In Focus Episode from April 2, 2010 – remembering U.S. Interior Secretary Stewart Udall
Statement from the Udall Family
March 20, 2010 Santa Fe, N.M. — Former Interior Secretary Stewart Lee Udall, 90, father of Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., passed away peacefully this morning at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, surrounded by family.
Following a fall last week, Udall, who had been in failing health, was confined to his bed and died of natural causes.
Stewart Udall was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Erma Lee Udall. He is survived by their six children; Tom, Scott, Lynn, Lori, Denis and Jay, and their families, including eight grandchildren.
A “Celebration of Life” memorial will be held later this year in Santa Fe. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the following organizations: Santa Fe Pro Musica, Santa Fe Conservation Trust, and Think New Mexico.
Stewart L. Udall was born in St. John’s, Arizona on January 31, 1920 to former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Levi S. Udall and Louise Lee Udall. He attended the University of Arizona where he earned undergraduate and law degrees.
During World War II, Stewart served four years in the United States Air Force as a gunner. He flew fifty missions over Western Europe for which he received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
In 1954, Stewart was elected to serve Arizona’s second district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to serve four terms in the Congress.
In 1960, he proved instrumental in helping persuade Arizona Democrats to support then-Senator John F. Kennedy during the Democratic Nomination Convention. Upon election in 1960, President Kennedy appointed Stewart Udall Secretary of Interior, where his accomplishments under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson made him an icon in the environmental and conservation communities.
Legislative achievements from Secretary Udall’s cabinet career include The Wilderness Act of 1964, The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the expansion of the National Park System and the creation of The Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Until his passing, Stewart Udall continued his devotion to public service as an author, historian, scholar, lecturer, environmental activist, lawyer and citizen of the outdoors. He was the last surviving member of President Kennedy’s original cabinet.
Originally published Senator Tom Udall’s Website