HLS 14RS-5157 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 174
BY REPRESENTATIVE MORENO
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Ralph Lupin
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the condolences and the heartfelt sorrow of the Louisiana Legislature upon the2
death of Dr. Ellis Ralph Lupin, a prominent New Orleans physician, philanthropist,3
attorney, civic leader, and public servant.4
WHEREAS, on Thursday, May 1, 2014, the state of Louisiana and the city of New5
Orleans lost one of its very best and most respected citizens with the passing of Dr. Ralph6
Lupin after a valiant battle with cancer; and7
WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin had a lifelong quest to learn and grow; he obtained a B.S. in8
Pharmacy from Loyola in 1952 and a Medical Doctorate Degree from Louisiana State9
University in 1956, served as a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Touro Infirmary10
until 1958, and obtained a law degree from Loyola Law School in 1988; and11
WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph Lupin demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the military12
by serving in the United States Air Force from 1956 until 1963 and in the Louisiana Air13
National Guard from 1979 until 1997; he also served as a consultant to the U.S. Surgeon14
General for Medical and Legal Affairs; and 15
WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin became a partner, co-founder, and group organizer of the16
Women's Medical Center in Gretna, Louisiana, when his tour of duty ended with the United17
States Air Force and was instrumental in developing the group into one of the premier18
obstetrics and gynecology practices in the New Orleans region; and19 HLS 14RS-5157 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 174
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WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin and his brothers, Dr. Arnold Lupin and Dr. Sam Lupin,1
founded and operated St. Charles General Hospital in New Orleans and successfully2
operated the facility until its sale in 1985; and3
WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph Lupin held senior positions on the staffs of Meadowcrest and4
West Jefferson hospitals, was one of the leaders in the Westbank Physicians Network, and5
was an original board member of the state commission on home health care; and6
WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph Lupin served his community with integrity, compassion,7
honor, and love; he and his brothers formed the Lupin Foundation, a nonprofit foundation8
that has helped many other nonprofit organizations, community service providers, churches,9
and the needy with grants of two million dollars a year for the last thirty years; and10
WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin served on the Vieux Carre Commission as chair, the11
Louisiana State Museum Board for nearly four decades, where he served twice as chair, and12
the boards of many other organizations, including the Louisiana Museum Foundation, the13
New Orleans Museum of Art, the Lupin Foundation, the New Orleans Center for Creative14
Arts, the New Orleans Symphony, Children's Hospital of New Orleans, Jewish Family &15
Children's Services, the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the University of New16
Orleans Foundation, the Audubon Institute, the National World War II Museum, the Upper17
Pontalba Commission as chair, the Sophie Gumbel Guild, the New Orleans Opera18
Association, the New Orleans Ballet Association, the Jewish Foundation, Young Audiences,19
and Bridge House; and20
WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph Lupin was a lifelong supporter of the arts and contributed21
immensely to both performing and visual arts, evidenced by his donation of an extensive22
Amari porcelain collection to the New Orleans Museum of Art, his sponsorship of the23
"Cinderella" performance of the New Orleans Opera Association, and his long-time support24
of the New Orleans Ballet Association; and25
WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin continued to serve his community later in life; he refused to26
leave his beloved city of New Orleans when it was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and instead27
donned his military uniform and stepped in to serve at the Superdome during the storm and28
as a first responder by helping those in need; and29 HLS 14RS-5157 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, one of Dr. Ralph Lupin's last acts of charity was the Lupin Foundation's1
recent decision to fund and underwrite the creation of the Holocaust Wing of the World War2
II Museum; and3
WHEREAS, Dr. Lupin was preceded in death by his first wife, Freda Merlin Lupin,4
and their beloved son, Michael Jeffrey; he leaves to cherish his memories his loving and5
devoted wife, Pam Halter Lupin; his son Dr. Jay Stephen Lupin and wife Judith of Scarsdale,6
New York; his step-daughter Shaney Woods and husband Robbie of New Orleans; his7
brothers, Dr. Arnold M. Lupin and his wife Celia of Metairie and Dr. Samuel Lupin and wife8
Linda of Monsey, New York; his sisters, Fagey L. Fischman and Reva E. Lupin and husband9
Sanford Kutner; his two grandchildren and a step-granddaughter plus numerous nieces and10
nephews; and11
WHEREAS, Dr. Ralph Lupin leaves behind a legacy that touched, and will continue12
to touch, generations of New Orleanians.13
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby14
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Dr. Ellis Ralph Lupin and does15
hereby record for posterity his outstanding achievements and contributions to the city of16
New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted18
to the family of Dr. Ellis Ralph Lupin.19
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Moreno HCR No. 174
Expresses the condolences of the legislature upon the death of Dr. Ralph Lupin.