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Robert Claude Lafayette passed away peacefully at his home in Baton Rouge, LA on September 6, 2019 at the age of 79. He was a native of Auburn-Lewiston, ME. He is survived by: his wife Sharon Sue LaHaye; his daughter Susan Claire Lafayette Dunlap, her husband Charles, and their children Caroline and Christopher Dunlap; son Daniel Robert LaFayette, his wife Bitsy, and their daughter Remy Kate LaFayette; son Steven Robert Lafayette, his wife Elissa, and their son Adler Lafayette; step-son Marcus LaHaye Strong; step-daughter Jill J. LeBlanc, her husband Michael, and their daughters Marielle, Vivienne and Genevieve LeBlanc; his sister, Louise Lafayette Balanda; and a niece and four nephews. Dr. Lafayette received degrees from the University of Notre Dame, the University of Chicago, and the Ohio State University. His professional career included teaching French and Education at Evanston Township High School in Illinois, the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, Indiana University, and Louisiana State University. He had a national reputation as a foreign language educator. In 1967 he was among some 200 individuals who became organized members of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, and later served on the National Advisory Council of the organization. From 1972 until 1978 he served on the Board of Directors and as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Central States Organization on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. He was also a lifetime member of the American Association of French. Dr. Lafayette received numerous state, national and international awards, including being named by the French Minister of Education as an officer in the Association of Palmes Academiques. His publications included several articles appearing in national journals, serving as editor for three college-level readers, and preparing a French advanced reader with Jacques Deliere of Indiana State University. In July of 1995, he was appointed Chair of LSU's Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and upon his retirement in June of 2005, he became a Professor Emeritus. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 13 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street in Baton Rouge, from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Visitation will resume on Saturday, September 14 at St. George Catholic Church, 7808 St. George Drive, from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 pm. A private family burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the LSU Foundation for the Friends of French Studies.
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In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Annette Tamuly
Friend
September 5, 2020
Bob, I miss you! You were so kind and supportive of me as I was entering my career at LSU. You made me feel a part of academia and taught me so much. I am delighted that you are no longer confined with illness. You are a good good man, and there are many who have been touched by your goodness in so many ways! Thank you for everything you did for me. I will always remember you with love and happiness.
Pam Nicolle
September 18, 2019
Professor Lafayette was my first advisor in the Department of Language Education at Indiana University (Bloomington) in the mid 1980s. He was always kind and understanding. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
Charles Schroen
September 16, 2019
Triste de savoir que Bob est parti reconnaissante pourtant de tout ce qu'il nous a offert:ses connaissances, sa joie de vivre et son indéfectible amitié.Mes condoléances à toute sa famille à laquelle j'adresse cet extrait d'une prière indienne: Nous serons séparés pour quelque temps.Laissez les souvenirs apaiser votre douleur. Bob n'est pas loin et la vie continue
Annette Tamuly
September 16, 2019
"While it is true that we can no longer
see Bob, he will always dwell
inside our hearts. We cannot lose him
unless we forget him, and a loving
heart will never forget."
Denise Egea
September 15, 2019
Bob was a dear man and a very good boss. I appreciated his quick wit, ready smile, unrestrained laughter, remarkable intelligence, generous hospitality, and compassionate leadership. He was a Good and Kind man who Loved Life, loved his friends, but mostly loved his family. I honor his memory, will pray for him and his sweet family, and am so glad I knew him.
Terry Buchanan
September 15, 2019
Very saddened to hear of Bob's passing. May he Rest In Peace... Deepest sympathies to his family.
Nina Asher
September 14, 2019
His high spirits captured everyone around him.
Saralene Seals
September 14, 2019
His high spirits brought everyone around him to a new level. I feel honored to have known him.
September 14, 2019
Inimitable, irremplaçable Bob, tu restes à jamais bien vivant dans nos coeurs. Tendres pensées et prières pour toi, Sue.
Michèle Grandvoinnet Newman
September 14, 2019
Un jour on se reverra. Rest in peace my dear friend. Merci "Bob", Dear
Dr Lafayette, pour avoir croisé ma route et m'avoir tant appris tout au long de ma vie professionnelle. Merci pour ton rire de tonnerre, ta générosité, ton enthousiasme et ta passion pour le français.Tu seras pour toujours dans nos coeurs et parmi nos élèves. Courage pour toi, Sue et pour les tiens.
Christine Merchant
September 14, 2019
Mr. Lafayette I am going to miss seeing your smiling face every other week. Despite your obstacles you were always in a good mood. Now you are completely healed and your suffering is done. Sending much love to your wife and family.
Jessica Albores NP
September 13, 2019
Ohhhh, me. I loved Bob. And Claire. We were classmates at OSU. A Bon vivant. He and Claire came to visit us here in VA once. Why so young? What happened? Love to those who loved him.
[email protected]
Helen Warriner- Burke
September 13, 2019
Sincerest condolences to Sharon and family. It was always a pleasure and a learning opportunity to work with Bob.
Lee Bradley, Director Emeritus, Southern Conference on Language Teaching.
Lee Bradley
September 13, 2019
I lost a very good friend ! When Bob moved to Louisiana to work at LSU, I was director of CODOFIL . He immediately offered his help to me, and rapidly became one of my most loyal supporters. I will never forget how generous he was in sharing his time and experience with me. His optimism and determination were a constant source of encouragement for me and my staff. From the most trusted colleague , he became a very loyal personal friend. We traveled to Belgium and France together, we shared our love of good wine, and worked hard but laughed even more.... Mon cher ami Bob, tu me manques déjà beaucoup !
Philippe Gustin
Friend
September 13, 2019
Thinking of you. Sending prayers your way.
Renee Hebert-Arcuri
September 13, 2019
Toutes mes condoléances
Henri Paratte
Acquaintance
September 13, 2019
Je suis triste d'apprendre le décès du Dr. Lafayette. Bob a fait mon OPI de preuve pour pouvoir être certifié à enseigner le français. Des années plus tard, nous travaillions ensembles sur les Standards des langues secondes pour le Dept d'Education. Bob a laissé une impression positive et permanente sur l'enseignement du français en Louisiane. Il sera manqué.
Eric LeGros
September 12, 2019
We had the pleasure of knowing Bob through his daughter, Susan, who married our son, Charles. We proudly shared our grandchildren, Caroline and Christopher. We can still hear his infectious laughter and the interesting way he could tell a story. In fact he modeled his Lafayette outfit for us the year he traveled portraying the importance of the Marquis de Lafayette to our country. Having him as a professor must have been a wonderful experience. He will be missed, and we will especially miss his engaging laughter.
Carol Jean & Walter Dunlap
September 12, 2019
Dr. Lafayette, I have never met you but I have the great pleasure to know your son Dan and his wife Bitsy and your granddaughter Remy. Clearly you did a great job as a dad because Dan is a fine young man and your daughter-in-law is a wonderful person as well. Remy is an absolute delight! Though we have never met I feel that in knowing your son and his family it is an acknowledgement of your presence. I am sad to know that we will not meet in this lifetime. Godspeed.
Ann Welchans
September 11, 2019
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Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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