Richard "Rick" Charles Bruch succumbed to cancer on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009.

Born on Oct. 9, 1947, in Chambersburg, Pa., he earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Pennsylvania State University in 1969. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After military service, he obtained a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Delaware.

Rick worked as a researcher at the Hahnemann School of Medicine in Philadelphia, the State University of New York in Buffalo, Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia and Northwestern University, Chicago. He joined the faculty of LSU in 1994 and served as associate chairman of undergraduate studies. At the time of his death, he was an associate professor in the department of biological sciences.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Charles David Bruch and Lucille Bradbury Cromis. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald Bruch and Mary Bruch; former wife, Ruth Harris; and many friends.

Pallbearers will be Charles Bond, Steve Bond, Dr. John Caprio, Dr. Scott Crousillac, Dr. John Fleeger, and Dr. Kurt Svoboda. Visitation at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Highway, Gonzales, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by graveside burial at Oak Lane Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Baton Rouge, Butterfly Unit at Ollie Steele Burden Manor on Essen Lane.