Howard Burch

1931 - 2017

Howard Beauchamp "Beau" Burch, M.D.

Lafayette - A Memorial Service will be celebrated Monday, March 20, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church in Lafayette for Howard Beauchamp "Beau" Burch, M.D., 85, who passed away peacefully at Cornerstone Village South on

Thursday, March 16, 2017 from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Visitation will be observed on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 10:00 am until the time of services, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Lafayette.

Reverend Zach Sasser, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, will officiate.

Known for his kind and generous spirit, Dr. Burch was born in Kosciusko, MS on November 8, 1931 to Frank and Wilma Beauchamp Burch and was a long-time resident of Acadiana. He graduated from Kosciusko High School in 1949, where he was an Eagle Scout, active in 4-H, a member of the baseball team, and played the trumpet in the marching band. Beau played baseball at Mississippi College, and served as the football trainer. He graduated in the top of his class from Tulane University Medical School in 1956, where he belonged to Alpha Omega Alpha honorary fraternity and Phi Chi social fraternity. Beau completed his internship at Colorado General Hospital and served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force in Utah.

Beau returned to New Orleans in 1959 to complete his residency in pathology at Oschner Foundation Medical Center and Tulane Hospital. He was offered jobs across the country, but after visiting Lafayette with his wife and sampling the food and hospitality of the area, he chose the position of medical director of the pathology department at the newly developed Lafayette General Hospital in 1963. Beau remained in that capacity until his retirement in 2000. He also served as Chief of Staff of Lafayette General Hospital. During his retirement, Beau did what he loved most - spending time with his family and friends, puttering in his garden, and traveling with his wife, Clarice. He loved the beach in Destin, FL and "perfected" his golf game during this time. Beau was an enthusiastic supporter of Hospice of Acadiana, where he volunteered as a physician for over 15 years. He was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church for over 50 years where he served as an elder, deacon, and member of the Board of Trustees. Beau was a well-loved member of the church choir for many years. His favorite, but most frustrating hobby, was golf, and he had a regular Thursday game at Oakbourne Country Club with his foursome of over 30 years, Charlie Aillet, Dr. Dom Palmintier, and Ben Thibeaux. Beau was a board member of the Evangeline Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Cancer Committee of Lafayette Parish, and numerous medical societies. He enjoyed Mardi Gras as a member of the Krewe of Gabriel. Beau was a sports fanatic, to say the least, and he was an especially loyal fan of the Tulane Green Wave and St. Louis Cardinals. Some of his fondest memories were attending Cardinals games as a young man and hitchhiking to two games in St. Louis during high school. Beau suffered at the hands of many LSU friends, but his devotion to Tulane football never wavered. His greatest achievement was his marriage to Clarice Black of Drew, MS, in June 1955, after meeting her at a wedding where he was a groomsman and she, a bridesmaid. They had a wonderful life together for almost 62 years and had three children, Lisa Burch Hatch of Dallas, TX, Howard Black "Bubba" Burch and his wife, Karen of Lafayette, and Carla Burch Johnson and her husband, Mike of Birmingham. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren, Allison Hatch of Denver, CO, William Burch and his wife, Caki of Lafayette, and Beau and Kate Johnson of Birmingham, AL.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nettie Burch Demas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dr. Burch's name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA, (337) 232-1234, www.hospiceacadiana.com.

Online obituary and guestbook may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.

Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.