Richard John Labourdette

Richard John Labourdette, 80, of Abita Springs, LA, passed away on August 14, 2025, after a brief illness. He was born in New Orleans on February 2, 1945. He was the devoted husband of Dianne Salathe Labourdette for nearly 59 years and loving father of Michelle Morgan (Robert), Christine Manalla (Donald), and Jennifer Burck (Christian). He was the best Gramps there ever was to his seven grandchildren - Byron and William Morgan, Juliana and Carter Manalla, and Julian, Henry, and Teddy Burck. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert “Snappy” and Leola Glynn Labourdette; his brother, Albert “Bubba” Labourdette Jr.; and his sister Carol Labourdette. He is survived by his sister Elaine Hasperue and sister-in-law Linda Salathe as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Known as Richie to many family and friends and as Muldoon to others, Richard grew up in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans and graduated from Francis T. Nicholls High School, where he met Dianne, the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. He was a police officer with the New Orleans Police Department for 15 years, including serving as the Chief Investigator in the New Orleans City Attorney’s Office. His tenure there resulted in some of his favorite stories and lifelong friends. While working, he also attended Loyola University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology. After retiring from the NOPD, he worked in the insurance industry until his retirement. Throughout his career he made lasting friendships he maintained until his death.

An avid duck hunter and fisherman in his younger years, he spent countless weekends at the family camp with his favorite uncles, aunts, and cousins. Richard loved family beach trips and big family dinners. He lived for a rousing political debate and never met a fact he couldn’t embellish. He taught himself to sail and to snow ski. He was a great cook, a crawfish boil master, a lively storyteller, and somehow always went missing when Santa arrived on Christmas Eve. He was never afraid of a hard day’s work. He survived two previous bouts of cancer, losing everything in Hurricane Katrina, and raising three spirited daughters. Proud of everything they accomplished, he was an original “girl dad” who never said no when they needed him.

Richard was a longtime resident of Chalmette. He loved golf, so once he and Dianne retired they moved to the Money Hill golf community in Abita Springs where he could play every day. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church in Abita Springs. He served as a member and past president of the St. Jane Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was a past president of the St. Tammany/Washington District and served on the board of the New Orleans Archdiocesan Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He was grateful to be able to serve the needy of his community through this mission.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated physicians, nurses, and staff at Ochsner Medical Center who cared for him during his illness and ensured his comfort in his last days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral mass at St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Church, 72040 Maple St, Abita Springs, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at noon with visitation beginning at 10 am and rosary preceding mass. A celebration of Richard’s life will follow the service. Internment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates masses offered in Richard’s memory, https://stjaneabita.org/, or donations to the St. Jane Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, (985) 871-1563.