Gen. Bob LeBlanc passes at the age of 101 at his home in Abbeville

Nov. 6 holds a special significance for General Robert J. LeBlanc as it marks his date of birth, his discharge from active service in WWII, and now his date of burial.
On Nov. 6, 2021, the LeBlanc family celebrated his 100th birthday with a party, during which he spoke of his discharge from active duty on his birthday 76 years prior.
Sadly, LeBlanc passed away Saturday at the age of 101, days before he would have turned 102. He died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home.
He was 101 years old and would have turned 102 on Nov. 6.
Funeral services will take place at Vincent Funeral Home in Abbeville, starting on Sunday. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, November 6, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.
Up until a couple of months ago, LeBlanc was able to walk and loved to visit his family, watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play.
“It was a peaceful death,” said his daughter, Donna LeBlanc Thibodeaux. “He never complained. He slowly stopped breathing.”
LeBlanc graduated from Abbeville High School in 1938 and received a bachelor’s degree from LSU in 1942 in geology and mathmematics.
From 1943-1945, LeBlanc served as a liaison officer in the 3rd U.S. Army Headquarters, Special Operations between Gen. Patton’s Third U.S. Army and the French Underground. He also spent time with the VIII and XII Corps and the Fourth Army Division in France. In 1945, he was transferred to the China-Burma Theater, where he served as a special operations officer with an OSS detachment in Kunming, China.
Thibodeaux, one of the General’s daughters, mentioned in an Advocate article that during his training, her father was taught the differences between Cajun French and European French customs.
She added that he was surprised to learn that the French in Europe used utensils, such as forks and glasses, differently and had distinct eating habits and behavior.
After serving as a liaison officer between Gen. George Patton’s Third Army and the French Underground during the war, LeBlanc was transferred in 1945 to the China-Burma Theater, where he worked as a special operations officer with the OSS detachment.
Upon completing his active duty, LeBlanc returned to Abbeville, attended Southwest Photo Institute in Dallas, and after graduation, opened LeBlanc’s Studio.
After WWII, LeBlanc joined the LANG and organized H Company, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th IBCT in Abbeville. He served as the deputy brigade commander of the 39th Infantry Division, then commanded 1st Brigade, 39th Infantry Division.
He later commanded the 256th Infantry Brigade and went on to become the commanding general of the Louisiana Army National Guard Command.
Thibodeaux said that as a young boy, her father held a door open for one of his teachers, who told him that he was going to do good things with his life.
“He has always just wanted to serve people,” she added. “He knew how to set a mission, execute it and be productive.”
In 1949, he became a rural carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, and in 1960, he was appointed Postmaster in Abbeville.
He rose through the postal ranks and by 1972, he was promoted to Sectional Center Manager, overseeing 93 post offices in Southwest Louisiana.
After Hurricane Audrey, he was asked to lead the operations of the Civil Defense Office to restore damages to Vermilion Parish.
He was appointed as the director of emergency operations in March of 1972 and assumed command of the Louisiana National Guard in May of the same year.
In 2007, he retired at the Operations of Emergency Personnel Director.
Becky Broussard worked under Gen. LeBlanc from 1997 to 2007. When he retired, Broussard was named the OEP Director from 2007 to 2020.
“He was a knowledgeable man,” said Broussard. “He loved to share is knowledge with everyone.”
Gen. LeBlanc also served on the board of commissioners of Abbeville General Hospital from 1986 until his passing.
He was married to Helen LaPlace, who passed away a few years ago.
They had three children, namely, the late Bobbie LeBlanc Tinker, Helen LeBlanc Zielger and Donna LeBlanc Thibodeaux.
In 2008, LeBlanc authored a book about his life titled “Another Acadian Citizen, Soldier, Public Servant.”
During the release of the book, those who knew Gen. Bob shared their views on the author.
“As the new mayor of Abbeville, I was able to observe his professional abilities as the OEP Director. The guidance and assistance given to us were undoubtedly expert,” said then-mayor Mark Piazza.
Former Secretary of the Vermilion Parish Mike Bertrand said, “He never ceases to amaze me with his energy, love of his job, and desires for community improvement.”
Before she passed away in an auto accident, his daughter, Bobbie Lane Ticker, said, “Daddy told us that when you were in school, you had 5 Rs instead of three: Reading, Riting, Rithmetic, Respect and Responsibility. You showed us the value of an education, but even greater, the value of people skills.”
He was inducted to LSU Cadets of the Old War School Hall of Honor in November 2000 and the Order of Living Legends by the Acadian Museum of Erath in October 2001. He was also inducted into the LANG Hall of Fame in March, 2006.
Here are some of the awards that Gen. LeBlanc received during his military career:
Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with one star, World War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Louisiana War Cross, Louisiana Longevity Medal, and France’s Legion of Honor for his war service in France and the Congressional Gold Medal.