Robert Dale Hebert Phd

Robert Dale Hebert, Ph.D., 77, of Lake Charles died Tuesday, May 31, 2016 in Catanzaro, Italy while vacationing with his family in the Mediterranean.

Dr. Hebert retired on June 30, 2010 after 41 years of service to McNeese State University, including 23 years as president. He was subsequently named President Emeritus on August 27 of that year.

He loved European travel with his wife and family. He also enjoyed following McNeese Athletics, researching genealogy, developing and collecting photography, vegetable gardening, and woodworking. He was especially proud that his four sons were graduates of McNeese. His pride extended to his four grandchildren's academic successes and talents, with one grandson currently studying at McNeese. Dr. Hebert was a member of the McNeese Quarterback and Cowboy clubs, past president of Lake Charles Rotary Club, and a charter member of the Montaigne Society. He was inducted into the McNeese Athletics Hall of Honor in 2015.

Dr. Hebert leaves to honor his memory his loving wife of 55 years, Lilly Ann Vincent Hebert of Lake Charles; four sons, Gregory Paul Hebert, M.D. of Lake Charles, Christopher Kent Hebert, M.D. and wife Ava of Lafayette, William Gerard “Gerry” Hebert, M.D. and wife Susan of Lake Charles, and Edward Vincent Hebert, M.D. of Lake Charles; four grandchildren, Adam Hebert, Carly Hebert, Matthew Hebert, and Michael Hebert; one sister, Marguerite Frances Hebert of Lafayette; one brother, James Duffy Hebert of Metairie; sisters-in-law, Sally Hebert of Abbeville and Jackie LeMaire and husband Evans of Delcambre; nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edier and Enes Meaux Hebert and one brother, Charles Calvin Hebert.

Dr. Hebert was born on November 14, 1938 in Abbeville, Louisiana, and grew up in Meaux.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now known as the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, and he completed Masters and Doctorate degrees from Florida State University.

Dr. Hebert joined the McNeese faculty in 1969 in the Department of History. His field of specialization was modern European history and international relations, and he also taught Russian history. Prior to coming to McNeese, he taught for seven years at Mississippi State University.

He established the McNeese Faculty Senate and served as the first president from 1973-74. He chaired the University Curriculum Committee from 1974-79, held the office of the first Director of Basic Studies in 1979, and became Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1980. Dr. Hebert was installed as the fifth McNeese President in 1987.

In 1989, on the university’s 50th anniversary, he formally adopted the motto “Excellence with a Personal Touch” that is still in use today.

Dr. Hebert negotiated a partnership with the Chamber Southwest Alliance, Calcasieu Parish, and the City of Lake Charles to locate the Southwest Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center on McNeese property.

He was instrumental in the expansion of the assets of the McNeese Foundation from less than $1 million at the beginning of his administration to an excess of $55 million at the time of his retirement, by personally strengthening the relationship between the university and the community.

Dr. Hebert played a key role in the appropriation of over $133 million from both public and private sources for major repairs, renovations, and new construction at McNeese. These projects included the building of Hardtner Hall, the Frasch Hall addition, new residence halls, the Shearman Fine Arts addition, the Noland Family SkyRanch, the Hodges Street Field House, renovation and expansion of the Jack V. Doland Field House, the McNeese Entrance Plaza, and the acquisition of multiple new McNeese properties.

Dr. Hebert oversaw 14 consecutive enrollment increases during his tenure as president. Under his leadership, the university achieved 100 percent national accreditation for all required programs by the Louisiana State Board of Regents. He created the Honors College with private funds as well as the Frazar Library Archives. He conceived the McNeese Banners Cultural Series, one of the region's finest arts and humanities programs. He established a licensing program to protect McNeese’s trademarks and to increase the sales of those products. He led efforts to receive FCC approval and gain private funding to build a McNeese radio station. He was a leader in campus beautification and was proud to see the number of live oaks on campus increase to more than 300. He also created a private endowment to support the perpetual care and protection of these trees.

The campus incurred more than $25 million in damages from Hurricane Rita, which forced a four-week closure of the university. Dr. Hebert led a team of McNeese staff through the adversities of that fall semester and achieved the goal of student graduation on December 23, 2005 while meeting every employee's payroll.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Lake Charles. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate.  Bishop Glen John Provost, Monsignor Jace Eskind, Monsignor Harry Greig, Monsignor Daniel Torres, Father Nathan Long, Father Keith Pellerin and Father Alan Trouille will concelebrate. Interment services will follow in Consolata cemetery. Visitation Sunday will be from 3:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home, with a Scripture service and Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. Visitation Monday will be from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home.

Pallbearers for the services will be Chuck Hebert, John Hebert, Van LeMaire, Barry LeMaire, Patrick LeMaire, Timmy LeMaire, and Val LeMaire. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Hebert’s grandchildren along with Dr. Jim Brown, Dr. Joe Cash, Dr. Jeanne Daboval, Dr. Rosemary Gray, Dr. Bob Hankins, Dr. Kalil Ieyoub, Mr. Eddie Meche, Mr. Richard Reid, and Mr. Robert Turner.

In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Dr. Hebert may be made to the Lilly Ann and Bob Hebert Scholarship Fund through the McNeese Foundation, P.O. Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 or mcneesefoundation.org.