Bodo Claus

Baton Rouge, LA - Bodo Claus passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 23, 2025, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. He was born in Berlin, Germany, and immigrated to America at the age of 19, arriving on Staten Island by ship in his lederhosen, eventually settling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With only a middle school education, he passed the LSU entrance exam with a translator and attended the LSU School of Architecture where he met and married the love of his life, Kitty Roy. They attended classes and completed their architecture degrees together, then worked alongside each other at their architectural firm, Claus & Claus, AIA Architects, where the project calendar was scheduled around fishing tournaments and summers on the high seas.

Together with their three children, they continued this spirit of adventurous living throughout their lives, spending their summers on their beloved boat, the "Good Tidings", exploring the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys in every way imaginable. Bodo acquired his love of fresh water fishing from Kitty, which later evolved into a passion for deep sea fishing and his position as President of the Baton Rouge Big Game Fishing Club for 10 years. His wife and children were the only crew he ever needed. Life was a series of grand family adventures, often quite risky, perhaps down right insane, approached with fearless confidence and a lust for fun in the sun. No concept was out of reach and all boundaries were gleefully ignored.

Bodo is preceded in death by his soulmate and wife of 59 years, Kitty Roy Claus, and survived by their three children, Heidi Claus, Laura Claus Franks (Michael), and Michael Claus (Sarah), 6 grandchildren, Cole Cardenas, Katie Rooney (Alex), Camille Stone (Patrick), Jake Fisher, and Caroline and Bodo Claus, 2 great grandchildren, Lily Rooney and Stella Stone, sister, Ingrid Achee (Nick), and sisters by marriage, Peg Austin (Tom) and Elaine Roy (Vic). He was also preceded in death by his parents, Margret and Paul Claus of Berlin, Germany, and his two brothers, Gunter (Leni) and Weiland (Margie), and sister, Mausi (Tom). Bodo adored his numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends, the "Ski Group" turned "Tailgate Crew".

Following a private service on Friday, June 27th, a celebration of his life will be held for friends and family at the home of Heidi Claus, 11131 N. Oak Hills Parkway in Baton Rouge at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. James Episcopal Church.