In loving memory of Robert Biery

12/21/1931 - 10/31/2016

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Visits: 8,833

ROBERT BERNARD BIERY passed away peacefully on October 31, 2016, after completing 84 trips around the sun. Bob was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, born on December 21, 1931. Although he never seemed to realize it, Bob had an extraordinary life. He couldn’t see how much he had accomplished against overwhelming odds. As the eldest of four children of a poor family, he left school at 14 and began a series of jobs – warehouse laborer, bellhop, truck driver, apprentice ironworker – even marking the boards for a bookie. At 17 he joined the Marines and served as a Corporal in a Weapons Company – 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Division in the Korean War. Although he was always very proud of his service, he rarely spoke about what happened and suffered from severe PTSD in the last 25 years of his life. Upon his return from service, he met and married Ruth Margaret Smith. While attending drafting classes at Delgado Trade School, a teacher noticed his talent and encouraged him to become an architect. Bob attended LSU, and was the first member of his extended family to graduate from college. Throughout his architectural career, Bob won a number of design awards. His careful renovation of an historic townhouse at 719 Camp Street won him the top annual award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. His unique design for Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in Lake Charles was selected by the Vatican as one of the 10 best churches built in the world that year and he received a personal commendation from the Pope. With each commission, he worked tirelessly, without regard to the cost in time to create something special and unique for each client – not to be different, but to be better. He also served for many years on the architectural review staff of the Vieux Carre Commission and the Historic Districts Landmarks Commission. Although architectural design was his prime interest, he also loved to draw, play guitar, and write songs. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who always had a joke, story or curious observation to share. He loved to make people laugh. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Robert Kruger Biery and Elodie Simon Biery; brother, William Biery; sisters, Carol Pattison and Joan Melancon; son-in-law, Steve Richier; and grandson, Benjamin Lott. He is survived by his wife Ruth; son Robert Biery II; daughter Kelly Lyons and husband John; daughter Tracy Biery and husband Jerry Hotard; and daughter Hillary Richier Puckett and husband Greg; seven grandchildren, and two great granddaughters. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. At Bob’s request, his body was donated to LSU Medical School. A memorial service will be held at Jesuit High School in the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel, 4133 Banks Street, New Orleans, LA, on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at 4:00 p.m., with military honors and a final salute of “Semper Fi!” In lieu of flowers, please send contributions in his memory to a charity of choice. Last, we share Bob’s favorite closing – All’s Well That Ends!