Robert Craig Israel 

Published 4:15 pm Tuesday, April 8, 2025

“It is the cross of Christ that turns sorrow into joy.” John 16:20

On March 15, 2025, Robert Craig Israel, known by most, including his grandchildren, as “Bob”, passed away. He would have seen the humor in departing this world on such a historical day, the Ides of March.

A native of Bogalusa, La., he was born April 11, 1943, to Rebecca Pemble and Moise Joseph Israel. After recovering from a childhood summer of Polio, Bobby began his education in Bogalusa, where his dad was the Washington Parish Superintendent of public schools, graduating from Bogalusa High School in 1961. He earned his degree in Political Science and History from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La.

Wanting to serve his country during the Vietnam War, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy, receiving training in the Navy Special Communications School with Top Secret Cryptographic Clearance. He then completed the U.S. Navy’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School. He served his tour of duty in the Republic of the Philippines and Da Nang, Vietnam, flying over 60 missions. His medals included the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, The Air Medal, and the United States Navy Aircrew Wings. Returning to Louisiana, he was a the Naval Reservist until his honorable discharge in 1972.

Robert attended Zale Corporation’s Upper Management School and Fine Jewelers Guild School of Gemology, which led him to being General Manager of the New Orleans, Canal St. location of Hausmann’s Fine Jewelers. It was there he met and later married his wife, Deanne Derbes.

A chance viewing in 1975 of a WWL-TV editorial announcing Ed Steimel’s formation of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), changed the path of Bob’s life. From its inception, he successfully headed staff assignments in the areas of taxation, government, management, public retirement, and small business development as Director of Government Relations.

He served in a variety of roles at LABI, including Director of Membership & Finance, Director of Taxation & Fiscal Policy, and Director of Small Business Development. From 1976 to 1983, he served as Chief Lobbyist and Director of Membership Development, during which time he played a pivotal role in expanding LABl’s membership and influence statewide. From 1980 to 1983 he was the chief lobbyist, planning strategy and setting priorities for the lobbying team. During his first year at LABI, he played a critical role in one of the organization’s most significant victories: the passage of Louisiana’s Right to Work law in 1976.

Bob considered this achievement one of the proudest milestones of his professional life, setting the tone for his decades of public policy work to come.

His professional legacy is deeply rooted in Louisiana’s business and automotive industries. Starting in 1983, and until his retirement in 2016, he served as President of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association (LADA), representing nearly all new car and truck franchised dealers in the state. His work shaped legislative strategies, workers’ compensation policies, and the overall advancement of the automotive sector. He was a leading advocate in the drafting and passage of workers’ compensation legislation. He also considered, of his greatest legislative accomplishments, the passage of Louisiana’s first seatbelt law in 1985. An active participant at our state capitol’s legislative sessions, Bob would also meet with the Louisiana delegation in Washington D.C. when needed.

Always a passionate advocate for education, workforce development, and industry partnerships, his efforts in building collaborations between business, education, and government, strengthened automotive technician training programs, and helped promote the industry as a fulfilling career path.

Bob held leadership roles in numerous organizations, including serving as the past president of the Louisiana Society of Trade Association Executives, the Louisiana Association of Self­ Insured Employees, Automotive Trade Association Executives, Southern Automotive Trade Association Executives, and the National Automobile Dealers Association. He also played a key role on the Board of Directors for the National Automotive Trade Association Executives, where he became Chairman in 2013.

A man of deep faith, Bob was active in St. James Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry, Associate Vestry, as an Usher, Adult Sunday school teacher, and honored to participate on the Search Committee. He was also a former board member of St. James Episcopal Day School, reflecting his commitment to faith based education.

Bob carried a deep sense of adventure throughout his life and rarely turned down the chance to try something new. Whether herding cattle at Angola as an aspiring cowboy, or briefly defying gravity as a skydiver, he embraced life’s bold moments with characteristic enthusiasm. Not all of Bob’s adventures were planned. He was in Washington D.C. on Sept. 11, 2001, a day that reminded him, perhaps more than most, of the fragility of peace and the weight of service. His passion extended beyond personal thrills-he also volunteered with the Hearts and Hooves, a therapeutic riding program at BREC’s Farr Park, sharing his love for horses and helping others find joy in the saddle. He took special pride in his service with the U.S. Navy Honor Flight Network, honoring his fellow veterans with dignity and care.

Bob was a devoted LSU Tigers fan, proudly supporting all their teams. Some of his favorite memories included going with his son Robert to Alex Box Stadium, cheering together at the 2003 and 2007 football national championship games. A loyal New Orleans Saints fan, could there have been better fan experiences than being in Tulane Stadium in 1970, when Tom Dempsey kicked his 63 yard field goal, or in 2010, attending Super Bowl XLIV with his daughter, Molly. Ever the competitor, he was always working to improve his golf game, regularly taking 26 mile bike rides, and each fall reuniting with his childhood friends, from Bogalusa, for their annual duck hunt.

Missing him will be his beloved wife of 53 years, Deanne; his devoted son, Robert Craig II (Lottie) of Covington, La.; his son-in-law, Travis Lowell Lejeune; cousin, Barry Royce Barlow of Oregon, and treasured grandchildren, Ellison Belle Israel, Stafford Lowell Lejeune, and Barlow Travis Lejeune.

 Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his cherished daughter, Molly Israel Lejeune; brother, Terry Logan Israel, and sister, Marcelle Hobgood.

For the last several years of his life, Bob was lovingly cared for by Sonseeahray and James Brown, Kim Youngblood, Adrienne Jackson, and Fran Floyd. Their compassion, dedication, and presence brought comfort to Bob and his family during a time when it was most needed.

A private service to honor and celebrate Bob’s life will be held on a later date, with internment at St. James Episcopal Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating, in Bob’s memory, to Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806, or St. James Episcopal Day School, Growing Our Legacy, 445 Convention St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802.