Dewey Bernard Stuit was born in Fulton, Illinois, on January 24, 1909, the son of Bernie and Grace (Temple) Stuit. He received his degrees from the University of Illinois: the bachelor of science in 1931, the master of science in 1932, and the Ph.D. in 1934. On September 5, 1934, he married Velma E. Pottorf (1911-1997).

In September 1934, Dewey Stuit was appointed instructor of psychology and education at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. In 1936 he was appointed associate professor of educational psychology and measurement at the University of Nebraska, and in 1938 was named associate professor of psychology and director of personnel research at the University of Iowa. Following service in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946, he was promoted to professor of psychology, focusing on educational psychology, a position he held from 1946 until his retirement in 1977. He was also director of the student counseling office (1946-49) and dean of student personnel services (1947-50).

It was in his role as the eighth dean of the College of Liberal Arts, however, where Mr. Stuit left his greatest impact on the University. Appointed acting dean in 1948, his appointment became permanent the following year. He held the position until his retirement in 1977. During his tenure he oversaw substantial curricular expansion within the College, establishment of an honors program, and the implementation of rules allowing greater flexibility in degree fulfillment requirements. During the student protest period of the late 1960's and early 1970's he defended the presence of ROTC on campus and criticized the tactics of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other anti-war organizations.

UI President Willard (Sandy) Boyd honored Stuit upon his retirement in 1977: "In our programs, he has wanted better, not more. During the years of material growth he counselled against proliferation and concentrated on strengthening existing programs. As an academic spartan, he has been both a traditionalist and a nontraditionalist. ... Flexibility and high standards have been the hallmark of the College of Liberal Arts during Dean Stuit's tenure.