Richard "Rich" Edwin Van Cleave

Shreveport, LA- Rich Van Cleave, age 72, passed away Monday, December 9, 2013. Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M., Friday, December 13, 2013, at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 14, 2013, in the chapel of Centuries Memorial with Dr. Tom Harrison of Broadmoor Baptist Church officiating.

Rich was the only child of Pauline Crow and Richard Edwin Van Cleave and was born in Shreveport, LA. He was a graduate of Springhill High School, class of 1959, and Louisiana Tech, class of 1964, and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After graduating from LA Tech, Rich was employed in sales until 1980 when he opened The Red Wing Shoe Store in Bossier City, LA. After 28 years he decided to “turn off the coffee pot” and enjoy retirement. This lasted about one year…. and then he began driving locally for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and thoroughly enjoyed meeting and visiting with his passengers.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his high school sweetheart, Martha Ann (Marty) Boozer Van Cleave, daughter Romy Mathews of Burleson, TX, grandchildren Austin Smith of Shreveport, LA, Garrett Mathews and Karlie Mathews of Burleson, TX, several cousins and many friends.

As an only child he cherished his close bond with special cousins Sandra S. Spencer of Houston, TX, Mickey S. Chandler of Minden, LA, Shirley Gayle Caskey of Carthage, TX, Jean “Dencie” Jones of Kilgore, TX, Martha Gill Pay of San Augustine, TX and Mary Louise Ehman of Houston, TX.

Rich was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church. He was a former member and officer of the Shreveport Sail and Power Squadron and a past president of Shreveport Kiwanis. Over the past years Rich enjoyed fishing and was an avid deer hunter in the Cypress Break II Hunting Club.

During their 48 years of marriage, Rich and Marty enjoyed boating and camping and were performing members of The Aqua Katz Water Ski Club.

His daughter Romy, “Daddy’s Girl”, was water skiing in his arms at 3 years of age. Rich enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren at the movies or sporting events---but not shopping!

He was loyal to his college alma mater and was always ready to travel to Bulldog football and basketball games and Lady Techster basketball games.

“Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog”

Honoring Rich as pallbearers are: Greg Avery, Randy Avery, Bob Brace, Jimmy Cochran, Herb DeHart, Charles Ebert, Walter Free, Stan Hays, Bob Renicker, and Tony Wolf.

Our family extends a heartfelt thank you to the Shreveport Fire Dept./EMT transport crew for their prompt and kind service.

We offer our sincere gratitude to the E.R. staff and staff of the SICU at University Hospital (LSUHSC) for their courtesy and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to The Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home or “Home is Where the Heart is” fund c/o Northwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS.