Obituary: Delphin D. Hebert – Faculty Member & Veteran – 1954 – January 13, 2015

Delphin D. Hebert, Jr. Obituary

Delphin Hebert (1922 – 2015)

LAFAYETTE – Mr. Delphin D. Hebert, Jr. of Lafayette, LA., passed away at his home on January 13, 2015 as a result of cancer. Delphin was born in French Settlement, LA on January 21, 1922. He attended LSU and obtained a degree in Engineering prior to World War II. While at LSU he was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity and was in the ROTC. Delphin married his wife, Lydia Ordeneaux, in June 1944. Following his military service, Delphin obtained a Master’s degree from Georgia Tech. He then began working for the California Oil Company and in 1954 joined the faculty in the Mathematics Department at what was then SLI (Southwest Louisiana Institute) and eventually became USL (University of Southwest Louisiana). While on the faculty of SLI and USL, Delphin served as a faculty advisor for the Theta Xi Fraternity and was a member of the Athletics Committee for many years. After a lengthy teaching career he retired from USL. For well over 20 years, Delphin was an Usher at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel. As a volunteer at the Lafayette Regional Airport he encouraged the development of new businesses in the Acadiana area.

Delphin proudly served his country in World War II as a Captain in the 2nd Engineer Battalion 2nd Division and was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, the American Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal World War II. After World War II ended, Delphin was honorably discharged from active duty and joined the US Army Reserves. He retired from the Reserves at the rank of Lt. Colonel. Delphin is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mrs. Lydia Ordeneaux Hebert of Lafayette, 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Dr. Pamela Hebert of Lafayette and Mrs. Jeanne Hebert Fisher and husband, Edwin Fisher, of Baton Rouge, LA. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Craig Hebert Fisher of New Orleans, LA and Mrs. Lizette Fisher Esfeller of Bradenton, FL and her husband, John Harry Esfeller IV. Delphin is also survived by 1 brother, Dr. Emmett Hebert of Baton Rouge, LA and 1 sister, Ms. Etta Lobell Cambre of LaPlace, LA and numerous nieces and nephews. Delphin was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Delphin D. Hebert, Sr. and Mrs. Odelia Brignac Hebert, and a sister, Ms. Lula Mae Vicknair. The family would like to thank all of the close family friends and the wonderful caregivers who were so compassionate and loving in the many hours they were with Delphin at such a difficult time in his life. There will be a Memorial Mass and Military Service at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel on the ULL campus at 501 East St. Mary Blvd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Hebert’s memory to The Wounded Warrior Project or Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel. You can contact the Wounded Warrior Project by mail at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or go to the computer link: woundedwarriorproject.org and press on the link – "Donation in Honor of Delphin D. Hebert, Jr." Donations to Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel can be made in Honor of Delphin D. Hebert, Jr. and sent to 501 East St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70503.

Published in the The Advertiser from Jan. 22 to Jan. 23, 2015

Athletic Network Footnote:
Mr. Hebert was a full-time faculty member from 1954 to 1979. He also served as an adjunct professor in the fall of 1987, fall of 1989, and fall 1994.
Peace, Ed Dugas