William Henry Rivard Jr., of Evansville, IN passed away peacefully on Monday, October 22, 2018, attended by his loving wife Barbara and family. He was born on November 30, 1929, in Providence, RI, to the late William and Margaret (Cook) Rivard.
Bill, also known as “Henry”, “Hank”, “Dad”, “Uncle” and “Papa”, lived a full life of over 88 years. He earned BS and MS degrees in Chemistry from Providence College. His career in metallurgical engineering and materials science included US Steel, RCA, Siemens Industries, and independent consulting. Bill served in the US Army Chemical Corps at Ft Dix, NJ during the Korean conflict. In 1956, Bill married his lifelong love and partner-to-be Barbara S Thompson, and they remained inseparable until the end of his last day, 62 years later.
Dad was devoted to family, and also loved golf, travel, building things - and a good joke.
Bill (Hank, Henry) follows treasured family through life and now gone: his parents William “Dean” and Margaret Rivard and brothers and sister Charlie, Maureen and John Rivard of Rhode Island; and his dear cousin George Behrens of Munster IN. He also follows beloved daughter Beth Rivard Garnett and son Raymond Rivard.
Dad is remembered and loved by his wife Barbara, his children Bill Rivard of Boulder, CO; Russ Rivard of Dallas, TX; Paul Rivard and Jeanne Rivard-Moutoux of Georgetown, IN; and his brother George A. Rivard of North Scituate RI. Bill and Barbara have 19 amazing and loving grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren (so far) across the US. Dad is also remembered by his fellow Behriva Tournament contenders George, Dan and John Behrens, Nathan Moutoux and Dan Garnett Sr.
Friends may visit on Sunday, October 28 at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 West Illinois Street, Evansville IN 47712, from 2:00-6:00 pm. Mass will be on Monday, October 29, at 11:00 at St Boniface Parish Church, 418 N. Wabash Avenue, Evansville IN 47712. Burial will follow the mass at Alexander Memorial Park at 2200 Mesker Park Drive in Evansville. The family is hosting an informal memorial wake after the burial from 2:00-5:00 at Gerst Haus tavern, 2100 West Franklin Street, Evansville.
Please send any desired memorial contributions to a foundation for multiple sclerosis or pancreatic cancer; both are family causes.
