Michael Brenden Simoneaux

Brenden Simoneaux was an award winning high school teacher, a talented musician and an avid gardener with a keen interest in science, art, gourmet cooking and travel—a true "Renaissance Man!" He graduated from St. Amant High School, then received a B.S. degree from Louisiana State University in 1980 and an M.S. in music from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1983. He spent 3 years as a Laboratory Technician at Rhone-Poulenc and Borden Chemical. He then spent 23 years in the field of education, teaching physical science and computer science at East Ascension High School (1995-2005) and chemistry, physics and astronomy at Dutchtown High School (2005-2018). Brenden remained current in his field by attending educational workshops and institutes: on "Space Technology," Colorado Springs; a Summer Institute, San Francisco, CA 2006, (to develop a summer teacher professional development workshop for 2007); and 5 Professional Development Workshops at LIGO Science Education Center, Livingston, LA, 2006-2010. This master teacher incorporated his experiences into the classroom for the benefit of his students: introducing Rocketry Projects in physics at DTHS with grants from Honeywell and the American Association of Chemical Association. His students won 1st & 2nd places at LSU's Mechanical Engineering "Eggstronaut" Rocket Competition in 2008. He sponsored LIGO-ART Physics Mural Project in 2010 and this display is still visible at LIGO. He was the first teacher to have the "live internet" in his classroom and he was often asked to share teaching techniques with his peers. He was also listed as a Collaborator/Co-Author for a NASA Grant Proposal with LSU Department of Physics for a three year STEM summer institute, 2007-2008. He served as a facilitator/docent for LIGO summer workshops and as a co-presenter for LIGO at conventions in New Orleans, LA and Indianapolis, IN. In 2014, he was a lead presenter at NSTA National Conference, Boston, MA. Brenden promoted gender equity after gaining insights acquired at a summer workshop at Carnegie Melon University, resulting in an increased number of females and minorities in higher level science courses at DTHS. Honors and awards received by Mr. Simoneaux are as follows: named American Chemical Society's "High School Teacher of the year," Baton Rouge Chapter, 2006-2007; named "Most Valuable Person/Player" as a Teacher Liaison for the U.S. Space Foundation due to rocketry activities in physics classes, 2007-2008, named "Outstanding High School Science Teacher of the Year" by Louisiana Science Teachers Association, 2015; named "High School Teacher of the Year" at DTHS, 2016 and was awarded the "Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching” (PAEMST) as recipient for Louisiana, 2016 and received a $10,000 stipend (was a finalist for this prestigious award in 2013). Brenden pursued his interest in music by serving as principal oboist for the Baton Rouge Concert Band, beginning at age 16; playing the piano for pleasure and singing in the Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus. As a teenager, he was selected to join young musicians from throughout the United States as a member of the American Youth Symphony and Chorus. For two summers in the late 1970's, he was part of a "European Goodwill Concert Tour" and performed with this orchestra in several European countries. He also cultivated a vast array of plants at his home in Prairieville by applying his knowledge of maintaining plants and hybridizing amaryllis acquired while gardening with his Schmidt grandparents.

His love of travel brought him to Nova Scotia, New England, New York, San Francisco, New York City, The Florida Keys, Hawaii, San Antonio, as well as Paris, Florence and Venice; visiting the works of his favorite artists in the many museums in these locations. All this and he still found time to go camping in Oregon, Washington, Northern California, Wyoming, Arkansas and the Smokey Mountains. He is survived by his spouse of seventeen years, Roland Spano, Jr., his siblings: Christine "Tina" Simoneaux and Darren Didier, Denham Springs; Ron Paul and Dana Simoneaux, Gonzales; Blaine David and Rhonda Simoneaux, Plaquemine and Bobbie Brown and Adam Brown, Los Angeles; nephews: Chase Mayers, Layne Didier, Matthew Simoneaux, and Jacob Simoneaux; Nieces: Danielle Didier, Kriisten Simoneaux Harmon and Lauren Simoneaux. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby Gene Brown and Nita Claire Schmidt Simoneaux and his grandparents Jacob T. and Claire Pellerin Schmidt. Brenden's family wishes to acknowledge the care and support of countless family and friends; especially his care-givers: Rebia Dyson, Darline and Ken Lee, Ashley Spano McClanahan, Bill Hicks, Kabir Miller, Cecile Bush, Andria Rossi, Dora Washington, Cathy Salinas and Clinda Brown. Pallbearers are: Ron Simoneaux, Blaine Simoneaux, Darren Didier, Layne Didier, Chase Mayers and Rhett Spano. Memorial donations can be made to the Prairieville Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 531, Prairieville, LA 70769 or the charity of your choice.

Visitation for Brenden will begin on Monday June 25,2018 at Ourso Funeral Home-13533 Airline Hwy.-Gonzales, LA. 70737 from 5 pm until 8 pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesday June 26, 2018 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church-15208 LA. Hwy. 73-Prairieville, LA. 70769 from 9:30 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am celebrated by Rev. Jerry Martin. The burial will follow at the Prairieville Community Cemetery. To offer condolences to the family you may visit our website at www.oursofh.com