Donald Louis Richard

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 3, 2023, in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana, for Donald Louis Richard, 86, who passed away on January 29, 2023, at Lafayette General Medical Center after a short illness. Reverend Steve LeBlanc will conduct the funeral services. Burial will take place in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. Donald, a resident of Lafayette for 57 years, was the son of the late Elita Champagne Richard and the late Odilon Richard of Rayne, Louisiana. He was born on September 27, 1936, in Rayne, Louisiana, and married Maxine Easley Richard of Chackbay, Louisiana, on October 21, 1957. They lived in Houston then Lafayette, and had five beautiful children. He is survived by three sons and a daughter, Bryan Richard of Lafayette, Louisiana; Marria Peterman and her husband Brad of Davenport, Florida; Chris Richard and his wife Susan of Lafayette; and Chad Richard of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren, Brandy Barras, Christie Barras, Rachel Barras, Sarah Richard, Brooke Schlecht (husband Alex), Andrea Richard-Bonano (husband Evan), Trey and Julia Peterman; and five great grandchildren, Carter LeBas, Marlee Barras, Graham Schlecht, and Jonathan and Skylar Gonzales. He leaves behind one sister-in-law, Mona Hotchkiss, her nephew John David McClain, and her niece Karen (KC) Kelem, and numerous family members in the Rayne and Thibodaux area. He was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife of 58 years Maxine Richard, and daughter, Gwendolyn Barras. A talented musician, Don was the saxophone player for the local band the Dukes of Rhythm. He was also very technologically savvy, but is most known for his extensive contributions to the engineering profession. Don was employed by Domingue, Szabo & Associates (DSA), the oldest consulting engineering firm in Lafayette, for 41 years, and served as President from 1991 to 2007; his son Chris now serves as President of DSA. He served as the engineer for the Lafayette Regional Airport his entire career, on the Board of Governors for the American Council of Engineering Companies Louisiana until his retirement, and is a Life Member of the Louisiana Engineering Society. A devoted father and grandfather, he was an active parishioner at St. Pius X Catholic Church, was active in Rotary Club of Lafayette since 1993, and leaves behind many dear friends. He was an avid supporter of Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, since his graduation in 1960. He loved traveling, technology, movies, and most of all his family. Pawpaw will be dearly missed by all. The family requests visiting hours be observed Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Delhomme Funeral Home – Bertrand. Funeral Services will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Friday at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Donald Louis Richard and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. January 2023

Donald Louis Richard

September 27, 1936 - January 29, 2023