Lawrence Robert, former King Zulu, dies at age 76
Times Picayune 02-15-2010


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Lawrence Robért, a retired transportation manager for National Tea Co. who reigned as King
Zulu in 1997, died Friday at West Jefferson Medical Center of complications from a stroke. He
was 76.

A Houma native who had lived in the New Orleans area since his childhood, Mr. Robért drove a
Cadillac with the vanity plate “RO-BEAR” to show people how to pronounce his last name.

He joined the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club in 1986 and became active in a host of
committees. After just three years in the organization, Mr. Robért was named governor, an
honor that entitled him to his own float.

In an interview on the day he became King Zulu, Mr. Robért said he had wanted to reign in
1997 because on that year, Mardi Gras came the day after his 63rd birthday. It would be, Mr.
Robért said, the only birthday party he ever had.

His wife, Mercedes Antoine Robért, was his queen. They met shortly after she turned 15, and
they were married for 57 years.

Mr. Robért, who attended Cornell University but did not graduate, was a route salesman for a
Westwego seafood supplier before joining National Tea Co. as a truck driver in 1963.

Five years later, he moved into management. By the time Mr. Robért retired in 1999, he was a
superintendent of distribution service for three states.

Though retired, Mr. Robért remained active. He established a sign-painting business and a
cleaning-products service, and he was a warehouse consultant.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Dana John Robért; two daughters, Jeanine
Marie Robért of Marina del Rey, Calif., and Debra Ann Weaver; a brother, Lionel Robért of Los
Angeles; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Tulane Memorial Baptist Church, 3061 Paris Ave.
Visitation will start at 9 a.m.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.