Dr. James Robert "Bob" Rivet, a team doctor for the LSU footblall team for over 20 years, died peacefully at home on Monday, November 16, 2009, with his two children, Rayme and Rocky, by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Gabriel Rivet and Tillie Foret Rivet; his brother, Dr. Edward Gabriel Rivet, Jr.; and his sisters, Billye Rivet Judlin, Rhea Rivet Buckner, Virgie Rivet McLendon, and Lynn Rivet Simpson. He is survived by his children, Rayme Ann Rivet, of San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. James Robert "Rocky" Rivet, of La Jolla, Calif.; his adopted children, Pennye Lynn Price, of Lafayette, and Hunter Ogden Price, of Ames, Iowa; his grandchildren, Parisa Rivet and Aria Rivet Lopez; his sister, Tilly Rivet McDowell; and many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Rivet was born on Valentine Plantation in 1933, and moved to New Orleans with his family in 1942. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1951. He earned his bachelor's degree in pre-med from LSU in 1955 and his medical degree from LSU in 1960. He then served his country as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) from 1961 to 1963. He went on to complete his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans from 1960 to 1961, and conducted his general surgery residency at Charity from 1963 to 1964. He completed his neurological surgery residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX from 1964 to 1968, serving as chief resident in 1968. He also completed a fellowship in association with the American Cancer Society from 1967 to 1968. In 1968, Dr. Rivet moved to Lafayette to become the first practicing neurosurgeon in Lafayette and its surrounding area.

Dr. Rivet was appointed to the staff at Lafayette General Medical Center's Department of Surgery (Neurosurgery) in 1968. He served as Chairman of the Board for LGMC for 15 years (1984-1999). In addition to his service at LGMC, he had staff appointments at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, University Medical Center and Women's and Children's Hospital (consulting).

He was a member of the American Medical Association, Louisiana State Medical Association, Lafayette Parish Medical Society, Singleton Surgical Society, Pan Pacific Surgical Society and Louisiana Neurosurgical Society. In 1998, Dr. Rivet was honored for his service to the medical community through the establishment of a $1 million endowed chair, The J. Robert Rivet, M.D., Professorial Chair in Health Informatics, at The University of Southwestern Louisiana (Now ULL).

Dr. Rivet, an extremely avid fan of LSU, served as the neurosurgeon for the LSU Football team from 1983 until August, 2005, when he was bestowed the title of Doctor Emeritus of the LSU Athletics Department.

He was a volunteer physician at Hospice of Acadiana, Inc., beginning in 1999 and was appointed Medical Director in 2001. He was granted the honor of Medical Director Emeritus in 2009. Because of Bob's passion for his work, he was able to recruit over twenty retired physicians representing different medical specialties to serve the organization.

Dr. Rivet was presented with the Louisiana State Medical Society Community Service Award on October 25, 2002, from then, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, in recognition of civic contributions to the welfare of his community beyond the responsibilities and obligations of the practice of medicine and the positive reflection this service brings to the medical profession.

Bob received great strength from his faith and he attended daily mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served as Eucharistic Minister.

He competed in the Senior Olympics in Louisiana and Mississippi, as recently as 2009, running the 50 and 100 yard dash.

Dr. Rivet received many recognitions and awards throughout his lifetime and will be remembered for his outstanding community service as an individual and a physician. He was truly a healer and humanitarian.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation to be held at Martin & Castille Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., with a Scripture Wake Service at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 3 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial, in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery.

Reverend Harold J. Trahan, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church in Lafayette, Celebrant, along with Reverend Michael Champagne of the Community of Jesus Crucified, Concelebrant and Homilist, will conduct the funeral services. Giftbearers will be Margaret Rucks and Rose Guidry. Lectors will be Jamie Bice and Joe Albergamo, MD. Eulogist will be Dr. James Robert "Rocky" Rivet. Jodi Bollich, soloist, accompanied by Tom Niel, organist, will sing "Amazing Grace", "Psalm 23", "Pie Jesu", "Panis Angelicus" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for the services.

Pallbearers will be Joe Albergamo, MD, Jamie Bice, Raymond Blanco, Kirk Crochet, Kirby Guidry, DDS, Jerry Judlin, Floyd LeBleu and Ricardo Leoni, MD.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Wayne Andrepont, Al Beacham, MD, Mike Berard, William Bernard, MD, Ross Brubacher, J.J. Burdin, Ed Hebert, Dud Lastrapes, Mike Mounir, MD, John Price, Curtis Roy, DDS, Harmon Roy, Phil Scotela and Jerry Young.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Dr. Rivet's name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com or to the Community of Jesus Crucified, 421 1/2 Carmel Dr., Lafayette, LA 70501.