Captain Robert Anthony "Bobby" Solar Sr.

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Captain Bobby Solar born on June 5, 1939, passed peacefully on February 19, 2015 in the company of his devoted wife, loving children and various extended family members. He was 75, a native of Donaldsonville, LA and a longtime resident of Gonzales, LA.

Inspired by a love of the river in his native Donaldsonville, Capt. Bobby embarked on a 58 year maritime career beginning with his honorable service in the US Navy from 1956-1960 and highlighted by a 35 year career as a ship pilot with the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association, where his skill, professionalism and integrity earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues until his retirement at age 70. After retirement, he shared his knowledge of his trade as an instructor at the Man Model School in Bush, Louisiana. His passion for his profession was surpassed only by his deep dedication and love for his family. He will forever be remembered as a kind, generous, loving and patient husband, father, brother, uncle, and pawpaw by all those so blessed to have been part of his world.

Capt. Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Beverly Raffray Solar; children, Robert Solar, Jr. and wife Vivian, Gregory Solar and wife Karen, Jeffrey Solar and wife Ruth, Regina Weydert and husband Paul, Derek Solar and wife Amy, all residing in the Gonzales area; grandchildren, Jacob Winston, Jarrod Solar and wife Cecily, Morgan Solar, Sara Waterman and husband Cogan, Laci Solar, Jordyn and Cydni Weydert, Ryan, Brandt and Aleigh Solar; brothers, Spaulding “Neg” Solar, Jr. of Houma, LA, Clebert “CJ” Solar of Cripple Creek, CO, Jimmy Solar of Osyka, MS and Richard “Dickey” Solar of Pigeon Forge, TN; sisters, Rita Zeringue of Richardson, TX, Evelyn McIntyre of Galvez, LA and Lois Clement of Plaquemine, LA. Preceded in death by his parents, Spaulding Solar and Violet Petty; brother, Lloyd Solar; sisters, Betty Murphy and Jerry Anne “Sue” Lofton.

We are comforted in our sorrow of the loss of his beautiful smile by the peace of knowing that his body is now whole and he is in the presence of God, praising the one who sustained and blessed him throughout his life, even to his very last breath.

A visitation will be held at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales on Monday, February 23, 2015 from 5 to 9 p.m. continuing at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 24 until services begin at noon. Interment will follow at Hope Haven Cemetery in Gonzales.

Pallbearers will be JJ Raffray, Terry McIntyre, Jacob Winston, Jarrod Solar, Ryan Solar, Brandt Solar, Kelvin Himes and John Freeman. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Dupont, Albert Weydert, Melvin Guidry , Gino Gondolfi. and Ferdinand Crochet

To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com .