Dr. Robert Earl “Bob” Songy, a resident of Metairie, peacefully succumbed to cancer on June 28, 2020 at the age of 73 while surrounded by the same caregivers he entrusted with the lives of his patients for over forty years at East Jefferson General Hospital. Bob was a native of New Orleans and reveled in its rich foods and even richer culture. He never met a meal, a map, a book, or a stranger he did not like and promoted their greatness with loquacious affection. Bobby grew up in Kenner, LA, the son of Gerard “Dutch” Songy of Edgard, LA and Barbara (Wellam) Songy of London, England. In his younger years, Bob along with his siblings, Michael and Jeanine, attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help where he served as an altar boy. Following in his older brother Mike’s footsteps, he attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, a tradition that has continued for three generations thereafter. He received his undergraduate degree at Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University Medical School in 1972. During his time at Loyola, Bob worked as a lifeguard and swim coach at Sunrise Country Club where he met the love of his life, Sandie. While attending Medical School at LSU he served in the Armed Forces as a Major in the Army Reserves. He completed his internship and residency at Ochsner Hospital in 1975. After joining the staff of Ochsner, he was an integral contributor to the launch of the first Internal Medicine Department. In the late 70s, he went into private practice and served on the staff of East Jefferson General Hospital until his death. Later in his career, he found the perfect fit with MDVIP promoting the type of first-rate medical care that he had always shown to his patients. Bob never discriminated when it came to caring for others. Although he believed that medically, blood could tell you everything, he wholeheartedly believed that a person could never be diagnosed unless you got to know about their life first. He put the person before the pathology. Bob married his wife, Sandra (Carlson), in 1968 and resided in Metairie with their three children. They would have celebrated their 52nd year of marriage this August.
He always found an adventure in everything. Whether it was a family trip, a medical conference, a swim meet, a crawfish boil, an LSU/Ole Miss tailgate or a Saints’ game, Bob was the person you wanted to be with. If there was a joke to be told, he would tell it. If there was knowledge to be taught, he would teach it. If there was a toast to be made, he would make it. He was as reliable as the clocks he tinkered with, as strong as his faith in the Saints and a constant philosopher. Like Mark Twain, his favorite author, he had many interests and talents throughout his life. Although most are self-proclaimed, they are all undeniably his own. He was a humorist, a vintner, a clockmaker, a gardener, the ultimate Saints fan, an art lover, a hunter, a teacher, a mentor, a linguist, an armchair NFL referee, a world traveler, a cook, an animal lover, the “crazy” cousin and even “crazier” uncle, a music enthusiast, a tour guide, a historian, a cartophile, a lecturer, and a Trivial Pursuit Master. While these are some of his finer attributes, nothing gave Bob more purpose in life than being a doctor, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend.
Bob is survived by his wife, Sandra; son Andrew Robert; daughters Nicole Loeb (Scott) and Lorilei Bozeman (Steven); sister Jeanine Latham (David); sister-in-law Barbara Songy; grandchildren Hayden, Abigail, Sophie, Dutch, Sam, Liam and Annie; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Preceded in death by his father, Gerard “Dutch” Songy, mother Barbara Wellam Songy and brother Michael Gerard Songy.
The family would like to give special thanks to Kacie Garrett, Bob’s nurse, for her dedication to Dr. Songy for nearly a decade; Paul Pati for his friendship and assistance in the office; Elisa at Bayou Home Health; Respacare of Louisiana; The entire Staff at EJGH (especially Tanner); the nurses in 3 East and ICU; Family Practice Doctors and Residents at EJGH; Dr. Clay Eisworth, Dr. Jayne Gurtler, Dr. John Gordon, and Dr. Paul Monsour.
Memorial services will take place at Jesuit High School Chapel of the North American Martyrs at 310 S. Solomon St., New Orleans 70119, on Saturday, July 11th. Visitation will be from 10 am to 12 pm with a Memorial Service to follow. Masks are required. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Jesuit High School New Orleans www.jesuitnola.org/donate or the ASPCA www.aspca.org/donate on Bob’s behalf.
To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18