Stewart G. Case was a native of Fort Collins. He was a 1941 Colorado State University graduate and a member of the CSU faculty for nearly 25 years, most of it as an extension professor of resource development.
Case began his career in recreation in 1943 while serving as a U.S. Army Special Services Officer. He was a colonel in the Army Reserve and worked with service recreation personnel through designation as Department Director, Army Education and Morale Support Section, Department of the Army.
Case joined the CSU Extension Service in 1946 as a recreation specialist. He instituted several park and recreation programs in the state including the Colorado Department of Recreation which later became part of the Colorado Department of Wildlife, Fish and Parks. Through the early years of his work, the program evolved from one of social recreation and drama to that of a consultant service to local leaders and governments on the organization, operation and financing of community programs and facilities."
Case was active in national recreation programs. He was National Rural Recreation Association president in 1950. As president of the state and National Recreation Society, he was instrumental in getting nine recreation associations throughout the nation to amalgamate in the American Parks and Recreation Society. He presided over that body and served as a board member for many years. He was a past-president of Colorado Parks and Recreation Society.
He wrote several publications to guide community leaders including "Springboards for Community Living." He wrote many bulletins and circulars. The "CSU Library Bibliography of Faculty Publications" records more than 100,000 copies of his works having been distributed. Several states adapted his publications for their programs including "Designs for Outdoor Living" explaining how to plan and build recreational facilities, and "Outdoor Cookery," a publication still circulated in many states.
His proudest film production was entitled "The Last Waterhole," an attempt to make West Slope and East Slope residents realize the recreational values and other usages water offered if developed and not disputed in legal battles and other squabbles. Extension staff presented Case with one of the original copies of "The Last Waterhole" at his retirement party.
In 1960, he instituted Tourist Hospitality Schools he continued to give them throughout the state until his retirement. Participants included owners and employees of motels, ski resorts, dude ranches and even gas stations.
Case was instrumental in the establishment of city parks and recreation department in Fort Collins. He served 17 years as a member of the city park and recreation board. He also is a member of the Fort Collins Golf Board. He was chosen to receive the "Outstanding Citizen" award in 1965 in a Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce program.
He received master’s and director’s degrees from Indiana University. In 1965, he received the Eppley Distinguished Alumni Award from the school. Case was the first registered park and recreation consultant in Colorado. He also is a registered recreation administrator and a registered park and recreation educator.
He was appointed by the governor to the Keep Colorado Beautiful executive committee, received "Distinguished Fellow" and "Award of Merit" certificates from national recreation societies, and was a finalist in 1967 in a U.S. Department of Agriculture "Distinguished Service Award" program.
Source: Newspaper articles supplied by Case’s wife, dates unknown.