Robert Leland Redfearn

Robert Leland Redfearn passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 90. Bob, as he was affectionally known, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was an only child who moved around the U.S. as his father served in the Navy. He ended up in Norfolk, Va. where he played high school tennis. In 1952, he went to Tulane University to play tennis. He earned business and law degrees from Tulane. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Captain.

While at Tulane, Bob met the love of his life, Lynn Macmurdo. They married in 1957 and made New Orleans their home. They loved the city and the culture, especially carnival season, Sundays at Galatoire’s, dinner at Antione’s, Commander’s Palace, Tulane and Saints football, and the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club. They also loved traveling, particularly to New York, Paris, Italy, and other parts of Europe. Bob and Lynn had six children together, eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. They enjoyed 43 years of marriage until her death in 2001. After her death, Bob continued to support charities and associations that Lynn supported, such as the New Orleans Opera Association.

Bob loved the Saints and had season tickets since their inception. He was a diehard New York Yankee fan. He never lost his love for tennis and continued to play into his eighties. Every year he traveled to New York to watch the US Open Tennis Championships, where he enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He was passionate about reading and voraciously consumed books on every subject. He was a lifelong member of the New Orleans Shakespeare Society. Also, he was extremely generous as he was always ready to support those in need.

Bob was a devoted father and grandfather. Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners were always held in his home. During Mardi Gras, a yearly crawfish boil was held at his home. This was a popular destination where family and friends congregated, and many of his college-aged children, grandchildren, and their friends stayed at his house during Mardi Gras.

Bob practiced law for more than 66 years. He had a stellar career as a civil lawyer and was a founding member of Simon, Peragine, Smith & Redfearn. He handled mergers, acquisitions, oil & gas transactions, securities litigation, real estate matters, and acted as lead counsel in trials in the states of Louisiana, California, Mississippi, and New York. He was the Chairman of the Castano Plaintiffs Legal Committee, an association of more than fifty law firms throughout the United States, which sued the tobacco companies and was instrumental in the national resolution of claims against the tobacco industry. He was known for his sharp legal mind, calm demeanor, and his ability to find common ground among people. He was devoted to his legal career and was a staunch supporter of Tulane Law School.

Bob was beloved by his family, friends, and colleagues, and was a great father, friend, and mentor. He lived a wonderful life as he was an honorable and compassionate man who made a difference in the lives of others.

Bob was predeceased by his wife, M. Lynn Macmurdo Redfearn; parents, Samuel Emmett Redfearn and Adele Wennerstrom Redfearn; and daughter, Kathleen Buckner Redfearn. He is survived by his children, Lynn Alexandra Redfearn, Robert Leland Redfearn, Jr. (Cheryl), Charles Emmett Macmurdo Redfearn (Dede), Douglas Watson Redfearn (Beverly), and Stuart Wennerstrom Redfearn (Debra); grandchildren, Robert Leland Redfearn, III (Laney), Ryan Parsons Redfearn, Lauren Elizabeth Redfearn, Charles James Redfearn, Caitlyn Kathleen Redfearn, John David Redfearn, Stephen Patrick Redfearn, Victoria Redfearn Johnson (David), Elizabeth Redfearn Serrão (Bryan), Caroline Adele Redfearn, and Stuart Wennerstrom Redfearn, Jr.; and great grandchildren, Brooks David Johnson, Stella Ann Johnson, and Robert Leland Redfearn, IV.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70124, on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society at the Robert L. Redfearn Memorial Fund (https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Robert-L--Redfearn-Memorial-Fund).

To share your fond thoughts, memories, and condolences with the family, please visit the online guestbook at lakelawnmetairie.com