Support Alfred Richard's Final Journey

Help Alfred Richard’s family say goodbye to a beloved New Orleans culture bearer.

Alfred Richard’s personality was as big as the quirky city he loved.

But, like so many of our culture-bearers, he did not have a life-insurance policy. His family needs your help to meet his final expenses.

Perpetually smiling and outgoing, Alfred exuded warmth in whatever he did. He reviewed movies for WWL, was part of Peggy Scott Laborde’s “Steppin’ Out” team on WYES, worked as a greeter at the esteemed restaurant Commander’s Palace, and was an enthusiastic member of the 610 Stompers.

Even those who did not know him personally knew his face: NCIS cast him as a train conductor; Jazz Fest put his dance moves in their lineup videos; his cousins, nieces and nephews knew him as someone who doted on them, rarely missing a birthday or a graduation.

A few weeks ago, he suffered a stroke. In keeping with his upbeat nature, he framed it as almost a minor setback. From the rehab facility where he was placed, he stayed in close touch with friends and family, telling potential visitors his room number and predicting that he would soon be “back in Stomper shape.”

It was not meant to be. Alfred died, two days before Christmas, on December 23, at age 62. As his family began to make plans, they realized that he lacked a life-insurance policy

Since he passed, we have been reminded of how well-loved he was, through calls and texts and posts on social media. We want to be able to celebrate him as the genuine New Orleans character that he was.

Alfred was a deep thinker and steady in his tasks — having worked for more than 30 years in the communications department of the Orleans Parish School Board filming board meetings and generations of talent shows, parades, football games (complete with his color commentary), musical performances, and high school graduations that were broadcast on OPSB TV, Channel 8.

But he also knew instinctively when silliness was required.

Prompted to audition by WWL colleague Eric Paulsen, Alfred in 2010 joined the Stompers, the all-male dance troupe who perform in tank tops, shorts, tube socks and sneakers under the motto “Ordinary Men. Extraordinary Moves.” He marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and traveled the nation with the 610 Stompers, where he danced as “Chocolate Thunder,” his chosen moniker.

It seems appropriate that in early December, in the last movie review he taped for WWL, Alfred closed his round of reviews with a recommendation for a classic movie showing at the Prytania Theatre: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As Clarence the angel would say, “Each man’s life touches so many other lives.”

We are grateful for the years we had Alfred, connecting us together. And we would be grateful for whatever help you could provide with his final expenses. Thank you.

Alfred’s family and friends need your help to meet his final expenses. Unfortunately, like many of our culture bearers, Alfred did not have life insurance.