W. Robert "Bob" Richard

W. Robert “Bob” Richard Slidell, LA / Rayne, LA - W. Robert “Bob” Richard passed away peacefully on December 2, 2023. He was born on May 24, 1942, in Lafayette, LA, the son of Claudia Hanks Richard and Willie Richard. He was raised in rural Rayne, LA and his family was involved in farming and cattle operations. Bob spoke fluent French and was proud of his Cajun heritage. He was also proud of his family and his wife of fifty-five years, Donna Gueno Richard, who predeceased him and with whom he raised their family in Slidell, LA. Bob is survived by his sister, Cynthia Richard Broussard (Glenn), his three children from his marriage to Donna, Kurt Louis Richard (Shelly), Deborah Richard Bauer (Ernie), and Karen Richard Burns (Tim) and his five grandchildren, Ryan Louis Richard, Maggie Marie Richard, Vance Connor Burns, Jude Olivier Bauer, and Julia Marie Bauer. Bob graduated from the University of Houston in electrical engineering and served his country in a series of sensitive positions with the federal government involving the design and procurement of national security and space exploration assets and communication facilities. He started with the Department of Defense handling procurement and design of military equipment, specifically assisting in U.S. operations in the country of Panama. He later worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), assisting in the design of the external structures. Bob was always a Cajun farm boy at heart and continued to assist his family with farming operations while working for the government. In fact, Bob was probably the only NASA engineer to ever brand a calf. Also a certified “gearhead,” Bob liked to fix cars, a skill his family particularly appreciated. He also loved the water and was an avid boater. He and his family spent many happy weekends on and around Lake Pontchartrain as well as summers at the beach. Visitation will be held at Gossen Funeral Home, 504 N. Polk St., Rayne, LA 70578 on Saturday December 9, 2023 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm. A rosary will be prayed Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 11:00 am at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, LA. A funeral mass in Bob’s honor will be held at 1:30 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 401 Adams Avenue, Rayne, LA 70578. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery #2 in Rayne, LA, 400 East Betty St., Rayne, LA 70578. “Apres la pluie, le beau temps”

W. Robert "Bob" Richard

May 24, 1942 - December 2, 2023