Robert E. Olmstead Jr.

He was born February 4, 1943 to Robert E. Olmstead Sr. and Constance Rossignol Olmstead in New York City. After graduating from West Jefferson High School he joined the United States Air Force where he was part of the 579th missile squadron. After his time in the service, he began work at Avondale Shipyards and simultaneously obtained his Associate Degree of Science and Engineering from Delgado. He spent the majority of his 47 year career at Avondale Shipyards as a General Superintendent of Test and Trials.

Robert was a dedicated husband and father. He loved spending time with his family and going out to eat with them (especially if it was steak). A member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, he enjoyed spending time cooking with the Atonement Men’s Club serving meals and volunteering at church festivals. He began writing a memoir of his time in the 579th Missile Squadron in the Air Force, detailing his experience in the missile silos of Roswell, New Mexico. He also was an avid collector of model trains and lead soldiers.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Gayle Senentz Olmstead; his son, Robert E. Olmstead III (Daisy); his daughter, Peggy Olmstead Salas (Richard); and sister, Mary Olmstead Twickler. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Zoe Larned at the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center, the care teams of Compassus Hospice and Home Instead, Ms. Mona George, the Atonement Men’s Club, and all the men and women he worked with at Avondale Shipyards.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Robert’s funeral services on Friday, March 13, 2026 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation begins at 10:00 am until the service presided by Pastor Dave Buss and Pastor Jesus Gonzalez at 12:00 pm. Interment to follow at All Saints Mausoleum on the same grounds.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ochsner Cancer Institute Patient Assistance Fund and/or Atonement Lutheran Church and School, In Memoriam Bob Olmstead Jr.