Rep. Dennis P. Hebert

Representative Dennis P. Hebert, born October 7, 1926 peacefully passed away at his home September 11, 2015 in the arms of his beloved wife Ruth Glass Hebert. Although originally from Ponchatoula, he was a long-time resident of Baton Rouge and was honored to call Louisiana home. Affectionately referred to by all as a true Southern Gentlemen with a heart of gold, Mr. Hebert never met a stranger and found his greatest joy in making memories with family and friends. With a life devoted to public service, he unweariedly and proudly served Louisiana District 73 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972-1996 with distinguished committee appointments as Chairperson of Labor and Industrial Relations and Vice-Chairperson of House and Governmental Affairs. Additional public service included terms as a Ponchatoula Councilman from 1961-1972, and Ponchatoula Mayor ProTem from 1969-1972. Humbled and strengthened by early hardships in life, he began working in strawberry fields as a child, graduated from Ponchatoula High School, attended Southeastern College, worked as an amateur boxer, was employed with Louisiana Power and Light from 1948-1954 and eventually retired from Shell Oil in Norco, LA in 1983 after 29 years in Operations service. As a sports enthusiast, and alumnus of Ponchatoula High School, his athletic participation included football and basketball, and valued positions as a team member of the Shell Oil Baseball Team, Ponchatoula Athletics Baseball, and coaching and refereeing of the Hammond Recreational Softball League, Ponchatoula Little League Baseball & Softball, St. Joseph Football & Basketball, American Legion Baseball and Louisiana High School Basketball & Football Official. Mr. Hebert's love of LSU Tiger football and a New Orleans Saints fan served as a natural extension of his own interest in sports and a led to a mission of promoting youth community sports participation. His numerous civic affiliations included the Knights of Columbus, Ponchatoula Lions Club, Louisiana High School Athletic Officials Association, the National Baseball Congress Umpire Association, the Ponchatoula Fire Department, and supporter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, Baton Rouge Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association, and the Audubon Society. Mr. Hebert's interminable honors included Ponchatoula Citizen of the Year 1961, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival King 1997, Grand Marshall – Krew of Erin 1989, Ponchatoula Mardi Gras King 1986, repeated Legislative APPLE Awards for Support of Teachers and Louisiana educational causes, Legislative Award for support of the Louisiana State Police, and Outstanding Public Official for support of TARC and LARC. His hobbies varied widely from ornithology, studying history, traveling, and a love of Western movies leading to several parts in movies filmed in the State of Louisiana. Preceded in death by his mother Majorie Eschenberg Hebert, father Charles Bentley Hebert, brothers Charles Bentley Hebert, Jr. and Vernon Joseph Hebert, sister Myrtis Hebert Meyn, sister-in-law Marguerite Anne Gianelloni, father-in-law Avery Morton Glass, Jr., former wife Evelyn Thibodaux Hebert, son-in-law Philip David Bougere, and adored granddaughter Brittany Evette Landaiche. He is survived by his devoted wife Ruth Glass Hebert, daughter Paulette Hebert Foster and husband Kearney of Ponchatoula, step-daughter Pamela Lincecum Jones and husband Bernard of Panama City, Florida, son Dennis Hebert Jr. and wife Doylene of Ponchatoula, daughter Marcia Hebert Cooper and husband Thomas of Ponchatoula, step-daughter Cheryl Anne Lincecum of Baton Rouge, daughter Carol Hebert and fiancée Ronnie Schillace of Ponchatoula, daughter Andrea Hebert Wheat and husband William of Ponchatoula, step-daughter Laura Lincecum Edwards and husband David of Baton Rouge, daughter Nannette Ourso and husband Stephen of Ponchatoula, step-daughter Karen L. Lincecum of Mobile, Alabama, daughter Patricia Hebert Landaiche of Ponchatoula, and step-son Brandon R. Lincecum and wife Amanda of Baton Rouge. Surviving siblings include Frances Hebert Valenti and husband Pete of Ponchatoula, Dianne Hebert Wright and husband Ronnie of Ponchatoula, brother-in-law Robert Mark Glass and wife Patricia of Baton Rouge, sister-in-law Rebecca Glass Fuller and husband Colin of London, England, sister-in-law Elizabeth Glass Gomez and husband Jim of Manchac, Louisiana and brother-in-law Ralph Edwin Glass and wife Marsha of Denton, Texas. Additionally survived by 38 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and a host of other numerous cherished family members and friends, and his doted upon companion dog Miss Scarlett O'Hara. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Monday, September 14, 2015, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., visitation continues Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 12 noon until religious services at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with services will be conducted by Reverend Monsignor Robert Berggreen. Interment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers include brother-in law Robert Mark Glass and grandsons Kearney Matthew Foster, William Aaron Foster, Steven Paul Hebert, Phillip David Bougere, Jr., Jason Scott Hendrix, Derek Schuyler Wheat, and Hunter Joseph Landaiche. Esteemed recognition is offered to Mr. Hebert's Hospice nurse Ann Dolan and staff of Clarity Hospice in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.