Robert Landry "Coach" Escudé

Robert Landry Escudé, age 68, entered eternal life on Good Friday, March 21, 2008, at Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria after a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Ursula Miller Escudé for 47 years. He is also survived by three sons, David Robert Escudé and his wife, Caroline, of Baton Rouge, Stephen Charles Escudé and his wife, Lisa, of Schertz, Texas, and Wayne Christopher Escudé and his wife, Tina, of Eunice; his daughter, Stephanie Lynn Escudé Brochard and her husband, Chad Brochard, of Mansura; five grandchildren, Christina Escudé Thornton and her husband, Travis, Theresa Carol Escudé, Haley Marie Escudé, Julien Michael Brochard and Zachary Robert Brochard; and a great-grandchild, William Alexander Thornton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Landry Leon Escudé and Dorothy Duff Escudé; and a son, Michael Jude Escudé, who was of Mansura. Born and reared in Mansura, Robert graduated from Mansura High School, attended LSU in Baton Rouge where he was a member of the marching band during the 1958 national championship season. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physical education from Northwestern State University and a master's degree in mathematics from Randolph Macon College in Lynchburg, Va. Robert was a teacher and coach in Houma, Walker and Fifth Ward. He was a teacher, coach and counselor in Mansura. He won numerous district championships as well as coach of the year. He initiated the Functional Math Club and instituted the Youth Tutoring Youth (YTY) Program, now used in most Avoyelles Parish schools. He started the first tennis program in the parish at Mansura High School. While at Mansura High School, after a 50-year hiatus, he spearheaded a charge to restart football at his old high school and watched it grow into a district championship team. He also served as the athletic director. Robert also taught at Louisiana Business College and Plaucheville Elementary. He later served as principal at St. John Berchman's Cathedral School in Shreveport, where he instituted a Spanish, art and music program. He helped organize and start the Stars of Coteau Basketball Camp and served as counselor and head of personnel in Grand Coteau. His teaching career spanned more than 30 years. He served as Cochon-de-Lait Festival chairman, a member of the Town of Mansura Planning Commission, Mansura Chamber of Commerce, serving as president, Mansura Lions Club, serving as president, Louisiana Coaches Association, Louisiana Teachers Association and the Avoyelles Retired Teachers Association. He was a member of LAE/NEA and was past chairman of the Avoyelles Teacher Budget Committee. He was a member and treasurer of the Mansura Volunteer Fire Department. He initiated and served as first president of the parent's chapter of The National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. He also taught beginner and adult swimming lessons and coached summer Little League baseball. Robert was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Mansura where he served as a member of the Parish Council, a trustee, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, St. Paul's Church fair chairman, and served on the Parish Finance Council. While in Shreveport, he was a member of St. John's Cathedral and a member of the KCs. He touched many lives in the classroom, on the court and on the field. His greatest joy was when students returned home and visited to give him thanks for the time he spent teaching, coaching and mentoring them into contributing adults. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Mansura on Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. The Rev. August Thompson will officiate, followed by internment in St. Paul's Cemetery under the direction of Escudé Funeral Home, Mansura. Visitation will begin at noon at St. Paul's Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the KC Auxiliary of St. Paul's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 504, Mansura, LA 71350 or the Lupus Foundation, 12090 S. Harrell's Ferry Road, No. Q, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.