Gerard Emile Babst

Gerard Emile Babst went home to the Lord on February 1, 2023. Gerry was born on December 17, 1950 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from Jesuit High School, Yale University, and the Tulane University MBA program. He earned his acting chops at Jesuit, with lead roles in A Man for All Seasons and Pygmalion. While at Yale, Gerry traveled widely as a member of the Whiffenpoofs (a capella group), where he served as the group’s opening “joke meister”, especially famous for his rendition of the Wide Mouth Frog joke. He enjoyed roles in Tulane’s Summer Lyric Theater productions. Gerry worked as a CPA with Deloitte for several years, including a two-year assignment to its NYC headquarters, followed by a long career in banking, retiring from Hancock Whitney in 2014 as a Senior Vice President. He valued family, friends and faith above all else. Gerry and Cindy celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2022. He was a member of Woodland Presbyterian Church for 32 years, where he shared his beautiful voice in the music ministry and his financial skills as the church’s accountant. He especially enjoyed hanging out with his children at his sister-in-law’s “home away from home” in New Jersey, ferociously battling on the badminton court and fearlessly riding roller coasters. He loved adapting and performing songs with clever lyrics to celebrate his siblings’ milestones. Gerry’s other favorite pastimes were playing piano, playing tennis and whipping up gourmet meals to the delight of all who partook.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence F. Babst and Loretto Morvant Babst. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Polt, and children, Lawrence E. Babst (Lee), Margareta T. (Hannah) Babst (Maggie) and Christo G. Babst. He is also survived by sisters Jane Babst Truett, Loretto Babst Stephens; brothers Lawrence F. (Linda) Babst, Jr., Walter M. (Bebe) Babst, James A. (Cynthia) Babst; sister-in-law Terry Polt, brothers-in-law Charles (Theresa) Polt and George Polt, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family expresses their heartfelt appreciation to all those who helped care for Gerry over the last two years, especially the Ochsner Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Compassus staff, and Dr. Terry Polt.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 5824 Berkley Drive, Algiers, LA 70131. Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gerry’s memory to either the Woodland Presbyterian Church capital fund or Second Harvest Food Bank. Condolences may be expressed at www.greenwoodfh.com

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