JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- A former Air Force Personnel Center commander, with more than 32 years of Air Force service, passed away March 9, after a battle with brain cancer.
Maj. Gen. Alfred J. Stewart chronicled his battle with cancer two years ago in a commentary following his recovery after a golf ball-sized tumor was detected and removed. Stewart wrote of his recovery, "I have learned a few lessons along the way that may help others who find they are facing tremendous challenges."
Stewart encouraged readers to focus on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a fitness regimen "that can help you fight off tough challenges when they come." He also stressed living life to the fullest, "tomorrow is not promised, so do not waste a day."
The former command pilot told readers to be positive..."Run your race like a winner. Attitude may be the number one component of success." He added that to bounce back, you have to think like a warrior. "Be tough-minded. Think like a winner and bounce."
Stewart graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1981, and after undergraduate pilot training, served in a variety of assignments with the KC-135 Stratotanker, and commanded an air refueling squadron, an operations group, a flying training wing, an expeditionary mobility task force, as well as the Air Force Recruiting Service and AFPC. He has more than 3,000 flying hours in the KC-135, T-1 and C-17 aircraft.
