Robert M."Bobby"Hebert

Robert "Bobby" M. Hebert Sr. passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at the age of 92. He was a native and lifetime resident of Baton Rouge. He is survived by Helen Rome Hebert, the love of his life for 69 years of marriage. He spent his last five years of his "golden years" at the Haven at Windermere with Helen socializing and winning at Bingo. He is also survived by three children: a son, Bobby Hebert Jr. and wife Maureen, and two daughters, Donna Hebert Belanger and husband Mike, and Gwen Hebert Dearing; six grandchildren, Rob Lehner and wife Jeanne, of Houston, Sara Belanger Fails, Fran Belanger Dial, Michael Belanger and wife Stacy, Rachel Dearing Walz, and Daniel Dearing and wife Tara, all of Baton Rouge; 14 great-grandchildren, Cassidy Lehner, Megan Fails, Morgan Fails, Weldon Dial, Charlie Dial, Jack Dial, George Dial, Katelyn Walz, Jared Walz, Annalise Belanger, Ashlan Belanger, John Michael Belanger, Justin Dearing and Evan Dearing; and a great-great-grandchild, Jonah Carubba. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul A. and Martha Mollo Hebert; brother, Buford P. Hebert; and two sisters, Genevieve Hebert Cooper and Ruth Hebert Patterson. He was also preceded by his beloved grandson, Andrew Hebert. Known mostly as "Bobby," he graduated from Catholic High School, Baton Rouge, in 1939, and was one of the "Eleven Iron Men" of the CHS Football Team of 1937. He was proud of his "still holding" record of a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown in 1938. He excelled in sports and was known by many as one of the best softball pitchers in Baton Rouge in the 1940s. He served in the 24th Corps U.S. Army in World War II, participating in the Invasion of Leyte and Okinawa. His unit received the Philippine Liberation Medal and Ribbon with two Bronze Stars and the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He also received the Sharpshooters Badge and five Overseas Bars. As the years passed, he was a member of the Seniors Baker Golf Association, Octogenarian Club and a member of the VFW and American Legion for years. He retired from Allied Chemical in Baton Rouge in 1974, thus entering a new career with Helen and co-owned The Unique Gift Shoppe"where he did custom framing for several years. In 1985, he and Helen "fully retired," and enjoyed many happy years of saltwater fishing at their camp in Cocodrie. Catching speckled trout and redfish together was a great joy in their senior years. Every camp trip was a gathering of friends. Funeral visitation is Monday, Oct. 3, at St. George Catholic Church, Siegen Lane, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass at noon. Entombment will follow in Greenoaks Mausoleum, 9595 Florida Blvd. Pallbearers will be Rob Lehner, Michael Belanger Sr., Michael Belanger Jr., Daniel Dearing, Dale Babin and Randy Babin. The family wishes to thank the Haven caregivers staff and Clarity Hospice Care for their compassionate care. It was truly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the. family respectfully requests donations be sent to the Clarity Hospice or your favorite charity in Bobby's memory.