With Sunday marking the one-year anniversary of T.L. “Teddy” Duh’s death, over 200 people were present as the Allied Health and Continuing Education building in Houma was renamed in his honor as the Theodore Louis Duh Building.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Michael Davis, assistant vice president for business affairs; an invocation by the Rev. Mark Toups, associate pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Larose; and Shaun Felger, senior voice major, singing “America the Beautiful.”
Stephen Hulbert, University president, led the crowd in a tribute to Duh. Hulbert described Duh as a man who loved his country and community and said Duh “was described by some as a hurricane.”
“It’s most appropriate that this building be dedicated to the memory of this good man,” Hulbert said. “A man who loved his family and community, university and state; a man who understood how important it was in locating this building here in Houma, that it was going to show the vision that we all should be sharing what he created.”
Duh’s daughters, Cherie Duh Collins and Brigette Duh, were “pleased and honored to be (there)” as each of the women remembered her father.
“His heart was as big as his dedication was strong,” Collins said. “He was and always will be a big influence in my life. Any time I needed motivation, he was there.”
Born Aug. 28, 1946 in New Orleans, Duh graduated from St. Francis de Sales School of Houma in 1964 and, in 1969, received a bachelor of science degree in business education at Nicholls. Duh was also a member of the Colonel varsity baseball team. Because of his long-term support of the University, the Nicholls State University Alumni Federation awarded him the highest honor given to a Nicholls graduate, the James Lynn Powell Award.
Duh was an ardent proponent for higher education in Louisiana. From 1988 to 2000, he served as a member of the board that oversees the University of Louisiana System and supported Nicholls. He helped the University win approval for many of its initiatives over the years. He was a vigorous force behind Betsy Cheramie Ayo Hall on campus and the establishment of the $3.14 million Allied Health and Continuing Education Building.
“He truly liked to help others,” Collins said. “He helped people’s children get to school. He said, ‘Hell, if I can do it, anybody can.'”
In reference to Duh in his special announcement following Duh’s daughters remembrance speeches, Milo Meacham, Jr., a close friend of Duh’s, said, “Father, brother, husband, business owner, philanthropist. No title hit home like the title of friend. Teddy was a friend to everyone and a friend of Nicholls.”
At the close of the ceremony, a large painted portrait of Duh was unveiled by his family. The portrait was created by a local artist, Billy Ledet, and will be displayed in the lobby of the building. Felger sang the “Alma Mater” and Toups ended the ceremony with a final benediction.
Duh was a member of many organizations, including the American Petroleum Institute, the Board of Directors for South Louisiana Bank and the Board of Selective Services. He was part owner and president of Vanguard Trucking in Houma and a member of the Board of Commissioners for Terrebonne General Medical Center. From 1988 to 1992, he served as Terrebonne Parish president. Duh helped organize Houma’s yearly Mardi Gras parades, and he served as a member of the Houma carnival club, a former board member and past king for the Krewe of Houmas.