Robert Raymond LeBlanc

Bob, a resident of Baton Rouge, died at 3:46 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, of pneumonia after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's at St. Joseph's Hospice The Carpenters House. He was 76 and a native of New Orleans. He was retired executive director of Harrison County Tourism Commission, Louisiana Office of Tourism and the Louisiana Exposition Authority for the 1984 World's Fair. He was a former consultant for Travel Industry of America and former director of marketing of Spangenberg Exhibit Studios and the Jung Hotel. Bob was well known in the travel and tourism business having initiated the first Governor's Conference on Tourism in Louisiana and promoted Louisiana throughout the nation and the world. He was a member of The Travel Industry Association of America, U.S. Travel Data Center, National Motorcoach Network Inc., American Society of Travel Agents, National Tour Association, Hotel Sales Management Association, Alliance of Canadian Travel Association, Confederacion de Organizaciones Turisticas de American Latina, American Bus Association, United Bus Owners of America, Travel and Tourism Research Association, Mississippi River Parkway Commission, Travel South USA, Southeast Tourism Society, American Heartland Association, Ontario Motor Coach Association, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and The American Legion. His awards included Louisiana Restaurant Association Inaugural Distinguished Service Award, Travel Director of the Year 1979-1980, American Business Women's Association Boss of the Year, Honorary Ambassador San Salvador Convention and Visitors Bureau, Travel Director of the Year 1990 and Southeast Tourism Society Shining Light Award. He was decorated by the Republic of France, Cavalier of the Order of Merit (second-highest honor allowed to a non-French National). He was inducted into the Travel Industry Association of America's Hall of Leaders 1989 and Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Hall of Fame 2007. He was a decorated U.S. Army Korean War veteran. His interests included fishing, tennis, sailing and motor biking. Bob was an avid fisherman who enjoyed saltwater fishing with his many friends and family. He enjoyed spending time with family friends and especially his grandchildren. Survived by his wife of 49 years, Jacqueline Hecker LeBlanc; two daughters, Virginia "Ginger" Cary and her husband, Todd W. Cary, and Deborah "Debbie" Mire; son, Stephen B. "Steve" LeBlanc and wife Jacqueline C. LeBlanc, all of Baton Rouge; sister, Verlin Nielsen Trosclair; three brothers, Cleophas J. "Lucky" LeBlanc, Eugene J. "Gene" LeBlanc and Milton J. LeBlanc, all of New Orleans; brother-in-law, John J. Hecker, Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Joissant and Jeanne Alanzo LeBlanc; and two brothers, Alfred J. LeBlanc and Roy J. LeBlanc; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John J. Hecker and Vera Minx Hecker, who were of New Orleans. Pallbearers will be Christopher T. Mire, Brandon T. Cary, Jonathan W. Cary, Leonard "Lenny" Nielsen, Pat Johnson and Ronald "Ronnie" Couget. Honorary pallbearer is John J. Hecker. With heartfelt gratitude to St. Joseph's Hospice The Carpenter House and Gulf South Hospice, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area. Visitation at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 15615 Old Jefferson Highway, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at noon, with the Rev. Sam Maranto, celebrant. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home.