Leon Harold Bombet M.D.

Dr. Leon Harold Bombet passed early Sunday, May 29, 2011, at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. He was born April 10, 1924, in Baton Rouge, to Julius "Buddy" and Rebecca "Tootsie" Bombet. He was the youngest of three boys. Preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Charles and Julius. He is survived by the love of his life, Susan Burger Bombet, his wife of 36 years; three daughters, Rebecca Bombet, Pamela Bombet, and Nancy Bombet Clary and husband Steven Clary; four grandchildren, Emily Basile Harris, Andrew Vallois Friedrichs IV, Leah Newman Friedrichs and Elizabeth Catherine Friedrichs; three nephews, Julius "Buddy" Bombet, Dr. Ronnie Bombet and Richard Bombet; beloved mother-in-law, Belva Burger; and brother-in-law, Andy Burger. Leon was known to many as Dr. Leon, Poppy, Doc and Lee. He lettered in track at LSU and in football at Tulane in the same year due to the Navy VI 12 program. After serving onboard a destroyer in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, Leon returned to New Orleans to pursue a degree in pediatric medicine at LSU School of Medicine. After finishing med school he moved to Baton Rouge and joined the practice with his older brother, Dr. Charles Bombet. They were later joined by his nephew, Dr. Ronnie Bombet, as well as Dr. Danny Wood and Dr. Stewart Ramey. Leon practiced pediatrics in Baton Rouge for almost 50 years, retiring in his late 70s. "Dr. Leon," as his patients fondly called him, loved children. He was known in this community as a well-respected and caring pediatrician who participated on many medical boards, committees and societies. He also served on numerous civic boards, such as the YMCA and Pennington Biomedical Research Center. He was known for his work in the field of alcoholism and addictions. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Impaired Physicians Committee, which became part of the Board of Medical Examiners. He served as the adolescent medical physician for all the local inpatient detoxification programs and became the physician for St. Christopher's Addiction Wellness Center, as well as serving on the board for the O'Brien House for many years. He was always willing to reach out to an alcoholic or addict in pain, doing more than 200 interventions over these last 30 years. He helped countless alcoholics through the years in their journeys to sobriety. He was an avid LSU fan, going to his first LSU football game at the age of 7 hidden in his father's overcoat. He served as president of The LSU "L" Club for several years, as well as volunteering his time as a team physician, working as counselor, friend and doctor for numerous athletes. His family would like to thank the many physicians, nurses, therapists and other health care providers that cared for and helped improve his life over the last several years. Services will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Wednesday, June 1, with visitation from 11 a.m. until a memorial service in the South Chapel at 1 p.m. Dr. Bombet's last request was to have his body donated to LSU Medical School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Disabled American Veterans Fund or The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice. Please sign the guestbook at www.2theadvocate.com.