Robert Atal Sarradet

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved, Robert Atal Sarradet, a great man, who died peacefully following a stroke at his home in Metairie, Louisiana on May 26, 2025, at the age of 80. Known to most as "Bob" or "Bobby," he was born in New Orleans to the now deceased Olga Marie Robert, also of New Orleans, and Atal Augustin Sarradet, Jr., of Donaldsonville. He survived two of his five siblings, the late Lucille Sarradet Duplantis (Ronald) and Richard Sarradet (Gloria Phillips), and is survived by Linda Sarradet Marino (Philip) and Gerard (Jerry) Sarradet (Marilyn). Bob is also survived by his three daughters, Susan Sarradet Varuso (Richard) (children, Luna Nighttengale and Mason Varuso), Karen Sarradet McInnis (child, Murdock D. McInnis) and Christine Sarradet Hayes (Keith) (children, Sydney Kate Hayes, Harrison Hayes and Peyton Hayes), along with their mother, Antoinette Keane DeSelles. Bob is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Bob survived his beloved partner of several decades, Carolyn Ada Pollard; her daughter, Canna Frentz, a very dear member of the family, also survives Bob. Bob also leaves behind many great friends - you know who you are!
Raised Catholic, Bob attended parochial schools in New Orleans, to include Mater Delorosa and St. Anthony of Padua. Following his graduation from De La Salle High School in 1962, Bob worked as a clerk for the shipping company, Lykes Bros. in downtown New Orleans while studying accounting at the University of New Orleans. Desk life was not for Bob, however, as he had a tenacious disposition, and loved working with anything mechanical (having been the first in his neighborhood at West End Blvd., to convert a bicycle to a moped using a lawn mower engine at the young age of 14 or so!). With a growing family to support, Bob shifted gears and started working in the mechanical field at Red Ball Motor Freight, servicing diesel trucks. At the same time, Bob went to night school at Delgado Community College, where over a six-year period, he earned an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
When Red Ball closed its doors in the early 1980's, Bob pivoted almost seamlessly to flipping cars, which work evolved into a successful shop, "Bob's Automotive," that kept him busy until he retired about 5 years ago. Everyone Bob knew brought their cars to him to fix, and we all know that unless you had a "Toyota," his favorite, or a "Honda," you had better be prepared to learn why the car you owned was inferior. Ha! If you could not afford the work, he would discount his bill. Bob would even go so far as to advance funds for those who could not afford the vehicle upgrades they needed (like his daughters' friends), who would pay him back in installments. Bob never turned anyone away who needed help. Bob was a master mechanic by trade, but he could fix, design and build anything – a true "Renaissance man." Bob loved to debate, was fair, honest, always kind, never angry, and in the face of confrontation, he always took the high-road.
In his free time, Bob loved being on-the-go. Several nights a week, after he "knocked-off" from work, (often time joined by his partner Carolyn and/or brother Jerry,) you could find Bob on Frenchmen St. enjoying live music. He also loved ALL festivals, but especially the Jazz Fest and French Quarter Festival. He loved day trips north, annual tubing trips, summer vacations with family at the beach, and trips every Fall for the past 41 years (!) to Percy Quin State Park with the extended family. Bob additionally spent great times with his brothers out West, once biking as a trio from Mendocino, CA to San Francisco, and other times, hiking at Joshua Tree. He loved the mountains and fresh air. He also loved a good thunderstorm. Bob instilled this love of life and adventure in his daughters, who love him so much, and will carry on the traditions. It is truly hard to describe and encapsulate the incredible impact he had on everyone he knew.
Services will be held on May 31, 2025, at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation for the family will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The public is welcome from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mass will be held on-site at 1:00p.m., followed by funeral services at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 (3421 Esplanade Avenue). Details on the celebration of Bob's life following the funeral will be provided. RIP Bob.