Deacon Richard Paul Hinchee, 71, a Permanent Deacon of the Diocese of Lake Charles, and a resident of Welsh, passed away on Friday, July 16. Born on Dec. 19, 1949, in Gainseville, Fla., he was ordained to the diaconate by The Most Reverend Jude Speyrer, Bishop of Lake Charles, on June 9, 2000.
He earned a doctoral degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and served as a Deacon for Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. He taught Theology at St. Louis Catholic High School, was Associate Director of Saint Charles Center, and a spiritual director to countless individuals across the country. Richard was a practicing CPA for 40 years and proudly served as a Captain in the United States Army Signal Corps.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Susan Bonnin Hinchee; children, Mary Abigail Hinchee of Welsh, La., Samuel Paul Hinchee and wife Jennifer of Atlanta, Ga., Joy Marie Hinchee Demerest and husband Matthew of Jacksonville, Fla., Mark Hinchee and wife Leah of Houston, Texas, Patrick Baggett of Montgomery, Texas, John Hinchee and wife Mona of Welsh, La., and John Paul Baggett of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Madeline Rozycki, Ariadne Bataki-Hinchee, Alexander James Batakis-Hinchee, Jessica Baggett, and Justin Baggett; sister, Laura Harvey and husband Charles of Moss Bluff, La.; and brother, Charlie Hinchee of Lake Charles, La.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Ruth Hinchee.
