Trasimond Adam Soileau

Trasimond Adam Soileau died on Saturday, April 25, at Mission Hospital surrounded by loving family. Born on February 2, 1928 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, he was the son of the late Trasimond Adam Soileau and Christine Darby Soileau. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bourne Soileau. Tras was a physicist, having retired as a senior engineer from the Advanced Research and Development Division of General Electric where he received many patents. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he graduated with honors after serving in the U.S. Air Force. He also did graduate work at Cornell University and University of California at Los Angeles. He was a prolific researcher. One of his first patents was as lead engineer on the team that developed the photocell for General Electric. In 1970, he was chosen by General Electric as its representative at an international research symposium held at Stanford University. During the 60s and early 70s, he also taught Astronomy at Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY. His passion for the stars led to him to purchase the largest privately owned telescope in the Southeast at the time. He never lost his curiosity or passion for learning and creating. After retirement, he taught himself marble sculpting and woodworking, creating many beautiful and complicated inlaid pieces. In his eighties, he was still climbing on his roof and working on an idea he had for a new kind of solar energy. He never tired of quoting physics formulas. To him they were not dry academia, but beautiful expressions of God’s design. He was a good provider, and he encouraged his children to use the gifts God gave them to their full potential. Though a scientist himself, he applauded his wife’s, children’s and grandchildren’s artistic pursuits as heartily as he encouraged their scientific ones. He simply valued initiative and creativity. He was an avid LSU tiger fan and was very proud of his Cajun heritage and Louisiana upbringing. The way to his heart was always a big family feast of Jambalaya, Filé Gumbo, Fried Catfish, Crawfish Etouffee or Shrimp Creole. He had a great sense of humor and really enjoyed children and their unspoiled way of looking at the world. Neighborhood children were known to come to the door and ask, “Can Tras come out and play?” He is survived by his four children, Trasimond Soileau and wife, Ellen, of Lexington, Ky.; Diana Soileau and husband Edward Hay of Asheville, NC; Rachel Sales of Hendersonville, NC; and David Soileau of Lexington, Ky, and four grandchildren, Laura Buckner, Joshua and Daniel Sales and Trasimond Soileau. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Soileau Northern, of Memphis, TN. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Frank “Jack” Stone and Franklin Soileau. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Gifts of condolences can be made to Boy Scouts of America. You can donate online at www.aplacetogive.scouting.org. You can also mail donations to P.O. Box 152079, Irving TX. Please make check payable to Boy Scouts of America.

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Trasimond Adam Soileau

February 2, 1928 - April 25, 2015