Robert Allen Batten

"Bob Batten battin' for Baton Rouge" is now on Heaven's baseball team ....

He played baseball (shortstop) for Holy Cross College and was Captain of the team in 1946. He also played shortstop for the Baton Rouge Red Sticks semi-professional baseball team in the 1950's.

He was very proud of his Irish ancestry and his favorite team was, rightfully, the Fighing Irish of Notre Dame. He also loved watching his favorite professional baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies, in person when he was growing up, and on TV up until the time of his death.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and received his Bachelor of Naval Science from Holy Cross College.

Bob was 94 years old when he passed away at The Crossing at Clarity Hospice on May 10th.

Originally from Mantua, New Jersey, he became a "Southerner" when he met and married his wife, Lucy Imogene "Jean" Fisher, while playing baseball in Baton Rouge. After 60 years of marriage, she preceded him in death in 2009.

He started work at Esso as a Metallurgical Engineer and retired from, what it was later named, Exxon. Bob never missed one day of work while on the job there for 34 years, nor did he ever miss one day of school when he was growing up.

He is survived by his six children: Sandra L. Batten, Ethel, LA; Bonnie Broussard & her husband Ronnie Broussard DDS, Sugar Land, TX; Diane Didier, Baton Rouge; Robert "Bobby" Batten Jr., Baton Rouge; Becky Traylor & her husband, Gary Traylor, Denham Springs, LA; and Michael "Mike" Batten, Baton Rouge; also six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and he loved each and every one unconditionally.

Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, May 14th from 9:00 a.m. until services at 11:00 a.m., conducted by Rev. Mike Tippit. Internment at Greenoaks Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Broussard, Jill Didier Simmons, Cal Fisher, Lance McAlister, Gary Traylor, and Roger Traylor.

Bob's family would like to express our gracious thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care given to our dad and to our entire family by the staff of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, the staff at Ollie Steele Burden Manor Skilled Nursing Unit, and the staff at the Crossing at Clarity Hospice. Also, a special thank you to Melinda Cooks, his awesome sitter for many nights.