Ronald L. Stewart, 77, executive

Ronald L. Stewart, 77, of Blue Bell, a senior business executive and leader in the pharmaceutical industry for 34 years, died of a heart arrhythmia Monday, Aug. 26, at his vacation home on Martha's Vineyard.

His family said Mr. Stewart died in his sleep. He had not been ill.

Mr. Stewart retired in 1999 from Merck, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer. At that time, he was executive director in charge of long-term care, marketing, and sales.

Before joining Merck, Stewart worked for 24 years at SmithKline Beecham - now GlaxoSmithKline - in Philadelphia; he held positions in marketing, national accounts, government affairs, and human resources; he rose to vice president of corporate accounts.

Born in Philadelphia, he graduated from Northeast High School. He earned a bachelor's of science degree in education from Cheyney University, and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Stewart served in the Marine Corps before taking a job as an elementary school teacher in the Moorestown Township public schools. He lived in Moorestown for four decades before moving with his family to Blue Bell, Montgomery County, in 2002.

He graduated from the Harvard University School of Public Health's executive program in health policy and management, and was one of the first nonlawyers appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court District Ethics Committee.

He was a member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacists, American Pharmaceutical Association, American Health Care Association, and the Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities.

Before he left Merck, Mr. Stewart was given a lifetime achievement award for his contributions. He also received many awards for community service. The New Jersey General Assembly honored him for his work as chairman of the board of directors of Family Service of Burlington County. In 1999, he was named to the Philadelphia Northeast High School Wall of Fame.

"His larger-than-life presence, formidable intellect, and practical sensibilities" inspired all who knew him, his family said in a statement.

Mr. Stewart enjoyed traveling with his wife, the former Ardelia Purnell, whom he met at Cheyney. For their 50th wedding anniversary, the two went to South Africa. Earlier, they spent time in Brazil, Italy, and France. But he was most at home sailing, golfing, and puttering in the yard at his home on Martha's Vineyard, where he spent 10 happy years with friends and family.

"The day before he died, we talked about how much we loved the Vineyard," said his wife. "I'm grateful that he spent his last day in the place he loved most."

Surviving, besides his wife of 53 years, are a son, Maitland; daughter, Adriane; his mother, Mozelle Stewart; a sister; and a grandson.

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown, 610 Summit Ave., Jenkintown. A viewing is from 8 to 11 a.m. Burial is in Fairview Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc., 40 Rector St., 5th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10006, or via www.naacpldf.org.