It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Robert Paul “Butch” Babineaux Jr. Butch passed on January 5, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. While we mourn our loss, we also want to take a moment to honor the life of a man who held family and friends in high esteem and made a positive impact on the people who knew him.

Butch was a Louisiana native, born and raised in Lake Charles. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1983, Butch’s work brought him to Houston, TX, where he would spend 30 years working for CDM Smith. In 2015, Butch joined the Fenstermaker team as Business Development Leader, returning to his hometown in Lake Charles.

Over his 40+ year career, Butch built an impressive reputation in transportation engineering, business development, leadership, and mentorship. With a portfolio that spanned four states, Butch was a registered professional engineer in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He was a roll-his-sleeves-up kind of guy, known for his friendliness and willingness to dive in and help any colleague in need.

In addition to his work in the private sector, Butch also earned numerous professional accomplishments, including:

• Election in 2020 to the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Louisiana Board of Governors, serving as the Lake Charles Chapter President.
• Service on the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) at McNeese State University
• Service on the Board and within two committees of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (SWLA)
• Membership in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Membership in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

Butch would often say that Fenstermaker’s core values and focus on treating everyone like family were what attracted him to work with us. We also know how much his energy helped to build and maintain that very culture. Butch’s reverence for his extended “family,” mentoring nature, and his deep business knowledge will be greatly missed.

“Butch was a valuable member of our team and a friend to many. He held a wealth of knowledge in the engineering community (over 40 years of experience), was always dedicated to family, friends, and coworkers, and was one heck of a business development guy. I will always remember Butch for his amazing positivity, wealth of relationships, and his willingness to jump in and help anyone out.” —Charles Fenstermaker, President

Passionate about lending a hand where it was needed, Butch was active in his church, St. Martin de Porres, and volunteered time at numerous charities and events, including the Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana. He was an enthusiastic traveler, according to his family, and was fond of creating detailed itineraries for trips and vacations. Butch maintained lifelong friendships and strove to make a difference in the lives and communities where he lived and worked.

Butch leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Julia Ann Babineaux, two grown children, Matthew and Anna, his father, Robert Paul Babineaux, four siblings, along with many friends and colleagues.

Funeral services for Butch were held on Tuesday, January 9, at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Lake Charles, followed immediately by burial service at Consolata Cemetery. Friends who would like to make a charitable donation in Butch’s name, his family requests you consider a donation to St Martin de Porres Catholic Church, or Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana.

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