Office of Conservation

Statement by Commissioner Jim Welsh on the passing of Arnold C. Chauviere, Sr.

Statement by Commissioner Jim Welsh on the passing of Arnold C. Chauviere, Sr.

       “A legend in the Office of Conservation has passed on.  Arnold C. Chauviere was the Chief Oil and Gas Geologist and my first “boss” when I first came to work for Conservation in 1965.  At that time, all the geologists in the Department of Conservation were assigned to the Louisiana Geological Survey, then, located in the Geology Building on the LSU Campus.  Arnold worked very hard during his tenure with Conservation, overseeing the geological aspects of many thousands of oil and gas hearings held before several former Commissioners, and was highly respected as a scientist by his peers.  I remember that Arnold insisted that petroleum geologists be included as expert witnesses testifying at oil and gas hearings, and that petroleum engineers cease testifying regarding geological matters - a real advocate/trailblazer for the geology profession. He retired from state service as the Assistant Commissioner of Conservation about 1980, after serving the State of Louisiana for some 40 years.”

    Arnold C. Chauviere, Sr.

 BORN: October 22, 1918

 DIED: January 25, 2012

 LOCATION: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Arnold C. Chauviere, Sr. who was born in Abbeville, Louisiana and a long time resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the age of 93. He graduated from Abbeville High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Louisiana State University. After graduating from LSU he received a commission in the United States Marine Corp in 1942. He attained the rank of Major and was honorably discharge in 1945. Upon returning to Baton Rouge he worked for the Louisiana Department of Conservation until he retired after 40 years of service as the Assistant Commissioner of Conservation. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church. Memorial service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum, Denham Springs, on February 3rd at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Father Mike Collins. Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Mausoleum. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Esther Summers Chauviere; sons Clay Chauviere and Arnold Chauviere Jr. and wife Linda and their son Kurt. Burial will be at Evergreen Memorial Park, Denham Springs, LA