ROBERT (Bobby/Chappy) CHARLES STEWART  was born in Dirranbandi on the 28th May 1942. He is the third born child—of seven children— of Kevin Stewart (1916-1978) and Rita Irene Stewart (née O’Hara) (1917-1974). Bobby and siblings in order of birth — Colin (dec’d), Patrick (dec’d), Robert/Bobby (dec’d), Anthony/Tony (dec’d), Sandra (dec’d), Les and Kevin (Oompert) (dec’d). 
Bobby grew up in Dirranbandi, the family originally living in Perkins street however, they moved to different homes in town throughout the years. He attending both the Catholic and State Schools in Dirranbandi. His eldest brother Colin was tragically killed in a plane crash on Bonathorn station near Dirranbandi, on (Anzac Day) 25th April 1958, leaving behind his wife Rhonda (née Grace) and two children, Colin and Colleen. His younger brother Kevin (Ompie) was accidently killed in Darwin in 1981 aged 27 years.

Leaving school and working at 12 years of age, Bobby became a good horseman and worked as a strapper, riding show horses for the Hill family on Oakey Park and Mrs Keen on Ingie station.  He married Gillian Hill in Goondiwindi and they had two children Timothy and Christopher. The relationship didn’t last and in the late 60’s Bobby went to live and work on Stradbroke Island sand mining, driving dozers and trucks. He retuned to Dirranbandi and married Peggy Cooke in 1974, and Peggy returned with him to live at Stradbroke Island until his work ran out. They moved back to Dirranbandi and had three daughters, Alison (Sam), and twins Casey and Kelly. They spend many Christmas holidays at Stradbroke Island with the girls, catching up with old friends, who also came to Dirranbandi to visit at times. 

'Chappy'—in his wife’s words—was a bit of a ‘boy’ in the day, ‘he liked a drink and would want  to fight at the drop of a hat’. He was a good worker though and worked for George Hadenfeldt driving dozers and truck for a long time. He and George’s son would go pigging often and Peggy believes this is when his nickname ‘Queer Chap’ got shortened to ‘Chappy’, which is inscribed on his headstone along with a whip in recognition of his horse and stock skills. He was an A Grade Footballer for Dirranbandi and has trophies for Polocross which he enjoyed. 

Later in life he worked for Gosleys a Toowoomba transport company, he would drive to St George to meet them and do deliveries in the Dirranbandi area of anything from papers and bread to heavy farm items. 

He died of cancer on the 25th August 2005 in Dirranbandi just 3 months after finding out he had lung cancer however, it had been determined cancer has spread throughout his body. 

He rests in the Dirranbandi cemetery along with many of his relatives:

• Parents—Kevin and Rita (O’Hara) Stewart
• Brothers—Colin, Kevin (Ompie), Patrick (Patty) Stewart
• Great Grandparents—Charles and Elizabeth (McKay) Stewart
• Great Uncle and Aunt—Charles and Muriel (Roberts) Stewart
• Cousins—Stanley John, John Joseph 'Smokey' and Phillip Stewart
• Nephews—Terrence (Terry), Patty's son; and Benjamin Anthony,Les's baby son.·    

Information provided by wife Peggy Stewart née Cooke 2024.