KEN STEWART 1936 – 2014

It is my sad duty to report the death of Ken Stewart. His wife Cathy called me this morning and told me that Ken had passed away a few hours ago.

Ken Stewart was born in 1934 and brought up on a ranch in the Machakos in Kenya. Ken shot his first Thompson’s gazelle under his father’s guidance at the age of seven. Having John “Pondoro” Taylor as a frequent guest at the farm, Ken’s future career was sealed. After having completed his apprenticeship Under John A. Hunter, Ken started to hunt as a PH with J.A. Hunter. Ken Stewart was married to Cathy Randall Stewart. Cathy´s father The late Ken Randall was Harry Selby´s older cousin.

Ken later complemented the hunting operation with game catching as told in the book The Enormous Zoo by Colin Willock. The characters in the Hollywood movie Hatari were also based on the Stewart/Randall family of hunters and game catchers. John Wayne played the character of Ken Randall while Red Buttons played Ken Stewart. The Randall family was also involved in several other films, such as Where No Vultures Fly, Mogambo and Joy Adamson’s Born Free.

Ken Stewart started making core bonded bullets under the name Stewart Hi Performers for about 30 years ago. The bullets are renowned in Southern Africa for their superb performance on big game. Ken also invented several wild cat calibers such as .458 3”, .465 Salgado, .505 Gibbs Rimmed among others.

Ken Stewart was also heavily involved in the making of the Norma African PH range of ammunition.

Mats Bergholm
Treasurer Royal Swedish Chapter Safari Club International.



Ken Stewart

I remember Ken well. Visited his home outside of Pietersburg and he came once to Bulawayo to see me there. I've shot lots of game with the bullets he gave me and they were wonderful.
Ken will be missed.
Cal

Thanks for the respectful and informative obituary. RIP

Condolences to his family. RIP.

Although I didn't know or know of him, condolences to his family. God Rest His Soul.

Mats:
Thanks for letting us know.
May I use the photo and data in my next book, please? I would like to give Ken a page at the book's end (it is an intro book on double rifles). He was a good gent and I enjoyed our visits greatly--1998-1999-2002-2003--2005. Can you tell more of his history and all that he did? Can you shed some light on the controversy of the .458x3" development between Ken and Koos B.?
PM or email if you wish papas@mtaonline.net
Thank you.
cal

Hi cal,

I have plenty of copies of Ken´s photos, and I am sure that Ken would agree to that you can use them in your book.

I also have recordnings from Ken when he tell stories about the old days, how he shoot 3 simultaniusly charging male lions, the last in the spine at a distance of less than 3 yards! His best elephant was a 142 pounder, shot in NFD early 1960.s.

Have some information about the .458x3" controversy as well.

I will email you.

Best regards
Mats

Our sincere ondolences.