On October 23, 2018, LRTA past president Bertha Breland announced the Rupert E. Breland Memorial Award during the LRTA Fall Meeting. This award will be presented annually to the most recent retire that is registered and present at the Fall Meeting.

Bert, as she is most commonly known as, is the wife of the late Rupert Breland. Rupert joined LRTA soon after he retired and became actively involved with the organization immediately. Bert is also an active member of LRTA. As she announced the award, Bert reminisced about Rupert’s involvement in LRTA and in their community.

Buddy Breland (left) and Bert Breland at the 2018 Spring Meeting in Alexandria.

“He encouraged people to take leadership roles in LRTA,” said Bert at the convention banquet. “We are very proud of the leaders working in LRTA today.”

Rupert was actively involved with LRTA at the local, district and state levels. Rupert was president of District III twice. District III encompasses Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. He also served as state second vice-president and state first vice-president.  

Rupert “Buddy” E. Breland, II is the first recipient of the award. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Breland. Buddy is also a retired teacher from Bogalusa.

LRTA is very pleased to announce this award.