Robert Sidney Maples Jr

Robert Sidney Maples, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday April 24, 2026 in Lake Charles. He was born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana and spent his childhood years living in Carthage Texas. During his high school senior year, he was named Mr. Future Homemaker. When Robert graduated from high school, he attended Panola College and was awarded an Associate of Arts degree in 1957. After graduation, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an operating room specialist at an Army hospital. After serving in the military, Robert pursued a career in biology. An avid lover of botany and ecology, he continued his studies, earning several degrees: bachelors of science from Stephen F. Austin College in 1963 a masters of science from Louisiana Tech in 1964; and a PhD from the University of Nebraska in 1969. Upon completion of his studies, Robert was employed by Pan American College in Edinburg, Texas, and then transferred to McNeese State University, where he remained until his retirement in 2004.

During his professional career, Robert published numerous scientific papers on ecology of marine algae. He served as a consultant for environmental impact after the Lake Peigneur drilling disaster in 1980, as a principal investigator on Wildlife and Fisheries Ecosystem analysis of Calcasieu Lake, and as the project manager for McNeese on the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Coastal Zone project. Robert also served on the executive committee of LUMCON (Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium); director of Region 5 state science fair, and as head of the Department of Biological and Environmental Science in the College of Science at McNeese.

In 1970 Robert met Linda Gail Richard, and they were wed on May 30, 1970. This union has been celebrated for more than 55 years and was blessed with six children (Stephen Thomas, Jason Christoper, Katherine Anne, Elizabeth Marie, Meredith Gail, and Eugene Robert).

Upon retiring Robert enjoyed golf, bean bag baseball, gardening, traveling, and the culinary arts. He was particularly fond of preparing meals for family and friends. Robert loved to make cheese and wine, which he gladly shared with them.

Robert is survived by his wife, Linda; his six children, Stephen (Candice) Maples of Sulphur, Jason (Becky) Maples of Lake Arthur, Katherine (Jay) Gertz of Sulphur, Elizabeth (Christopher) Domingue and Meredith (Saif) Khan of Lake Charles, and Eugene Maples of Denver, Co; (18) grandchildren; and (4) great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin Thursday April 30, 2026 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm and a rosary will be recited at 6:00pm at Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will resume Friday at Johnson Funeral Home from 9:00am till 10:15am. A funeral mass will be dedicated by Monsignor Jace Eskind at10:30am on May 1, 2026 from St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church Burial will follow at Consolata Cemetery.