Henry Louis Robards, Sr.

Henry Louis Robards, Sr. and Katie Kent Robards, beloved parents of Ricky, Hank, and Ronda (Flower), passed away within a day of each other, Katie on Monday, December 14th due to complications of Covid-19, and Henry on Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 after a long, heroic battle with cancer. Our Parents never wanted to be apart, even in death. Adored grandparents of Andree’, Ricky Jr, and Nicole Robards (Ricky’s), Hanko, Hunter, and River Robards, and Sarah and Mathew Favret (Hank’s), Kent, Ella, and Sydney Flower (Ronda’s). Precious great-grandparents of Mia, Miles, Josie, Bellamy, and Wyatt. Henry was a treasured brother of Charlie, Billy, Rudy, and Ruthie. Katie was a treasured sister of Richard, Jack, and Mary Lou. Left to love them and miss them and remember them dearly are Ricky’s wife Micki, Hank’s wife Liz, and Hanko’s wife Jana, along with many, many nieces, nephews, dear, dear friends, and our Atlanta, Colorado, Arizona, and California Families.

Henry and Katie were married in 1962, and began raising their family. Henry had a pioneering spirit, moving us to Kenner in 1965. We were the 2nd family to settle in Driftwood Park Subdivision, and Dad, a rising architect, designed many of the early homes built there. He was a founding member and first president of the Driftwood Park Country Club, while Katie, a devoted stay at home Mom, busied herself as Den mother for her sons, Brownie leader for her daughter, and seeing to all the details of a warm and welcoming home. Both Henry and Katie were members and avid participants of the Driftwood Park Gourmet Club, enjoying countless evenings cooking international meals and spending priceless time with friends they loved so much. Again in the pioneering spirit, they bought land on the Lake Pontchartrain levee in Metairie and our Dad designed and built a beautiful home for us to grow up, bring our friends to, and have great parties in. (Some of those parties they even knew about!) Our Mom never met a “stranger”. In fact, she may have met you during Mardi Gras, the World’s Fair, or even at Breaux Mart, brought you home, fed and drank you, and made you a friend for life. (Dad liked people too!). In the late 1970’s, Henry and Katie purchased a condo in Cancun, Mexico, where our family took refuge for one week every summer for 25 years. Most of the wonderful times we had at that condo can be shared, while some of them will stay on that glorious beach forever. Over the years Mom and Dad loved their trips together. They traveled to Europe, to see Fall foliage, on cruises, and a big yearly favorite, Orange Beach. Dad never missed a Saints game (Who Dat!) and Katie never missed a crossword puzzle. But by far, the most beautiful and important thing in their life was Family. First always.

Our Family spends every holiday together, Mom and Dad will be missed terribly. Their greatest legacy is us, their Family, and our love for each other. And we will continue to love and hold each other, as they would hope.

Special thank you to Yolanda, Iris, and India, and Mimi and Vanna, and the hospice caregivers who took such wonderful care of our Parents. Your love showed, and you became part of our Family. You are truly children of God, and may He bless your Families mightily!

We will have a Memorial Service for Mom and Dad in the Spring!