05/06/2026
Remembering a good friend of the College of Pharmacy:
Robert Joseph Toups
12/22/1941 – 4/29/2026
Robert Toups, 84, passed away peacefully at his home on April 29, 2026. He was a native of Galliano, LA, and a resident of Duplessis, LA, in Ascension Parish. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Cheramie Cemetery in Galliano, LA at 12:00pm.
Rob is survived by his wife of over 31 years, Susan Thomas Toups, ex-wife Mary Busch, sisters Beverly Toups Cheramie and Carol Toups Cheramie (Lujack), son Todd Toups (Stacy), grandchildren Dominique Toups, Candace Toups, Hannah Toups, and five great-grandchildren Noelle Toups, Jocelyn Toups, Rhyan Radovich, Alena Ferris, and Christopher Ferris. He is preceded in death by his parents Clovis “Bayou L’Ours” Toups and Nolia Griffin Toups, his brother Jimmy Toups (Joanne), his brother-in-law Gelpi Cheramie, and his grandson Todd (T.J.) Toups Jr.
Rob graduated from Northeast Louisiana State College (now ULM) with a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1968. During his career Rob was a permanent member of the ULM Alumni Association and was a founding member of Dean’s Advisory Council where he received the title of Member Emeritus. He was chosen as the ULM Alumnus of the year in 2003 and was voted the Phi Delta Chi Most Distinguished Alumnus in 2004.
He served as president of the Louisiana Pharmacists Association in 2005 and received that organization’s Pharmacist of the Year award in 2008. He was awarded the Pharmacy Achievement Award in 2006. He was a deeply respected figure in the pharmacy profession and was also a member of the Louisiana Independent Pharmacists Association, the National Community Pharmacists Association, and the American Pharmacists Association. After graduating, Rob returned to Lafourche Parish where he opened Bayou Pharmacy (Galliano). In 1970, Rob was elected to the Lafourche Parish School Board where he served for 12 years. While on the school board he was a member of the board of directors and was chairman of the finance committee. He is credited with founding the Lower Tenth Ward Educational Center in 1973. He was especially proud of the specialized instruction for students with disabilities that the center provided. This center is generally recognized as having paved the way for more integrated programs within the Lafourche Parish School Board system. During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s Rob was involved in several business ventures before moving to Ascension Parish where he continued working as a pharmacist and businessman. Outside of his professional career Rob was probably best known for enjoying good times with family and friends. He was a long-time member, and past King, of the Krewe of Versailles Mardi Gras Krewe. He was involved with and was a past admiral of the Golden Meadow-Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo. In 1993, he was named the Ambassador Depute pour Nouvelle-Ecosse by Governor Edwin Edwards.
He also enjoyed meeting with friends and spending time on the water as a member of the Gonzales Boat Club (later Lake Maurepas Boat Club) in Head of Island, LA. Rob was extremely passionate about LSU Football (Stadium Club member and season ticket holder 40+yrs). He was a member of the Tiger Touchdown Club, The Tiger Grid Iron Club where he served as treasurer, and the Krewe of Ragoo (Marvin Dugas) tailgating crew. He was highly respected in the LSU donor community and was a long-time member of the Tiger Athletic Foundation. He was awarded “The Purple Jacket” in 2016 when he was inducted into the TAF Hall of Distinction for his significant contributions to LSU Athletics and was recognized during an on-field ceremony at Tiger Stadium in 2017. Throughout his career Rob had many more accomplishments - from defining curriculum for pharmacy school graduation requirements and helping establish new compounding pharmacy legislation, to sponsoring local Boy Scout Troops and coaching youth sport teams.
During his life, Rob had a very positive influence on his family, his community, and his profession. All who knew him, loved him, and all who met him were better for it. He made friends wherever he went and was always willing to help anyone in need. Rob will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
A special thank-you to his faithful sitter, Pam Parnell, who helped care for him in all stages and challenges of his disease until the very end. Also, thank you to the employees of Southern Grace Hospice who helped him have a peaceful passing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rob’s memory to Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. This link takes you directly to their website: Alzheimer's Services of The Capital Area: https://alzbr.org/
