A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated to honor Richard Joseph Blanchard, Sr. M.D. on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Officiating will be Father Matthew Long and Deacon Scott Brandle. Entombment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.Born on September 12, 1930 in Napoleonville, LA, Dr. Richard Joseph Blanchard passed away at his home in Monroe on June 13, 2015. He attended Napoleonville High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Louisiana State University where he was a member of the Pershing Rifles. Dr. Blanchard graduated from the L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1955. He then served an internship and residency in Pathology at Confederate Memorial Medical Center (now L.S.U. School of Medicine) in Shreveport. Richard was a Captain in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama where he practiced Pathology with Colonel Robert Morrissey, commander of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.In 1961, Dr. Blanchard and Dr. James Geisler moved to Monroe to begin a pathology practice at St. Francis Hospital that lasted 40 years. The saying, If you enjoy what you are doing, you never work a day in your life, can be attributed to Richard. The fact that three of his sons entered Pathology is a testament to a tremendous influence of his work ethic.He attended Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and in 1995 he was honored with a membership in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem in recognition of his church work. In 2002, he received the Mother Gertrude Hennessy Humanitarian Award for dedicated service to the welfare and needs of the people of Northeast Louisiana.Dr. Blanchard, along with Dr. Jim Wolff and Dr. Rifat Nawas, became managing partners for the formation of the Physicians and Surgeons Medical Complex. He was a member of the Ouachita Parish Medical Society, the Louisiana State Medical Society, and Bayou DeSiard Country Club. After retirement, Richard enjoyed the camaraderie of the T.T.S. (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) golf buddies and relished time spent in Perdido Key, Florida visiting his coastal families. He was an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather with an infectious sense of humor. He served his family, church, and community with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He found nothing more gratifying than packing the suburban with food, family and friends to enjoy weekends at Lake DArbonne.Richard was preceded in death by his father, William Paul Blanchard and mother, the former Mabel Bergeron, his brother, William Paul Blanchard Jr., sister, Carolyn Blanchard Landry, and grandson, Stephen Blanchard Jr.He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Stephens Blanchard, sons Dr. Richard Blanchard Jr. and wife, Cynthia of Monroe, Dr. Stephen Blanchard and wife, Tracey of Monroe, David Blanchard of Orange Beach, AL, Dr. Robert Blanchard and wife, Ellen of Destin, FL, daughter Corinne Viso and husband, Nemesio of Baton Rouge, John Blanchard and wife, Jennifer of Foley, AL, and 15 Grand Children: Anna Clare, Audrey and Richard Viso; Laura, Neil, Ben, Clay, Matthew, Joseph, William, Kate, Jack, Chris, Cameron and Corinne Blanchard; and great grandchild, Payton Blanchard. Dr. Blanchard grandsons will act as pallbearers for his funeral service. Memorials may be made to Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church or School, or the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Monday, June 15, 2015 at Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Monroe.\t