Frederick "Rick" Louis Chaplain

Frederick “Rick” Louis Chaplain Jr.

“I’m stepping through the door, and I’m floating in the most peculiar way, and the stars look very different…today” - David Bowie. It is with immense sadness that the family of Frederick “Rick” Louis Chaplain, Jr. announces his unexpected departure from this life on Thursday, December 24, 2020. He was born in 1951 in Hickory, North Carolina to Frederick and Martha Bardwell Chaplain. Frederick had a profound love for life, learning, and adventure: something he instilled in his children at every opportunity. At a young age, he served in the United States Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. He was part of the last graduating class of St. Aloysius before the school’s closing in 1969. From there, he went on to McNeese University where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting before he attended UNO for a Master of Business Administration. He then went on to graduate from Loyola University in New Orleans with his Juris Doctor Degree and became a Lawyer. During his lifetime he also earned certifications as a realtor, massage therapist, and even taught at a school in Houston for a short period of time. Out of all jobs and things he did in his life, he spoke most about working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He used to tell stories about the places he got to visit and the people he got to meet doing hard labor for very little pay or time off. Though he had the knowledge and schooling to live a very comfortable life financially, he worked just enough to pay bills but did not believe in spending his life in any repetitive cycle. Boring was one word that could never be attributed to him and he truly believed that no one should “live to work”, but rather “work to live” and that’s what he did. Rick may have not been the most responsible person in the world, but that’s what made him so unique and awe-inspiring. He could not meet a stranger and liked to talk to anyone that would cross his path. He was so full of imagination, adventure, creativity, knowledge, and compassion for others. One year he gave his children silver rings on chains for Christmas with a scroll in his amazing handwritten lettering. He invited them to join an exclusive society which he created called “The Chaplains of the Silver Circle”. The way to become a member of this self-created society was to read 10,000 books in a lifetime with the overall goal of learning about life, gaining insight and knowledge, and stimulating thought and wonder about the world. His children were then asked to pass along the document and invitation to the society to their children. That was just his way of being Dad. When he would break down on the side of the road, he did not get upset or yell. He would simply laugh and say, “well, it’s time for another adventure!”. In the last few years, he put a lot of his time, attention, and energy into his boat. He dreamed of traveling to different areas of the world and experiencing life with his faithful and trusty fur baby C2P or Cuddles 2 Popeye (named after his first puppy, Cuddles). The only problem was that he had no idea how to sail. He did research, bought books, and taught himself. He was only ever able to take one trip on that boat and ended up having to be towed off an embankment. Those waiting to hear from him were upset and panicking, but when they were finally able to get in touch with him, he laughed, it had been a great adventure for him. He was so alive, so loving, and had a way of viewing the world that was so unique that no one could possibly replace the presence he provided. Frederick will forever be loved and remembered by his children, Fur baby C2P, Caroline (George) Gruber, Frederick L. Chaplain, III, and Sally Cuccia. GrandFURfather to Gumbeaux Doodles, Gizmo, Izzy, and Jack Jack. Grandfather of Raven Silva. Nephew of Barbara (Tobias) O’Sullivan. Brother of Victoria “Vicki” Love, Margaret “Micki” (Winston) Fontenot, Daniel “Craig” Chaplain, Peggy Dunn, David Chaplain, and Martha “Linda” Chaplain, and many nieces and nephews. Frederick was preceded in death by his Father Frederick Chaplain, Sr., Mother Martha Bardwell Chaplain, Brother Patrick “Paddy Mac” Chaplain, Brother-in-law Timothy Love, and first fur-baby Cuddles Marie Chaplain. Relatives and Friends are invited to attend a Graveside Memorial Service at 9:00 AM Thursday, January 14, 2021 at St. Louis Cemetery #3, 3421 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119. In lieu of flowers, his family would like to invite anyone that knew Rick to please write a letter or send an email with any stories/memories about him so they can cherish them forever. Please send any letters to Caroline C. Gruber P.O. Box 1372 Prairieville, LA 70769 or any emails to cchaprn11@gmail.com Arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Covington, LA. Condolences and tributes can be posted at www.serenitycovington.com



Funeral HomeSerenity Funeral Home
20419 Hwy 36
Covington LA - 70433
US
(985) 875-1131
(985) 875-1132

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frederick "Rick" Louis Chaplain, please visit our floral store.