In Memoriam: Dickie Gauthreaux

Dickie Gauthreaux, longtime president and COO of Terminix International, passed away on April 25, at age 82 at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, Tenn. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 19, 1931, to

Gauthreaux graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., and attended Louisiana State University. In 1969, he came to Memphis to work for Terminix International, and retired as president and COO in 1997, having spent his entire career in the pest control industry.

Norman Goldenberg, who recently retired from ServiceMaster after a long tenure, worked closely with Gauthreaux after he joined Terminix through ServiceMaster’s acquisition of the Waste Management pest management business and lawn care (TruGreen) business.

“He was the ultimate southern gentleman — a very kind and polite person with a business acumen that illustrated that he had been through all of the operations and foxholes of our industry,” Goldenberg told PCT. “Dickie’s ability to respect people is second to none and a character trait that I have never forgotten.  He was a teaser but took and received both with grace and a smile.  He and I went at each other since he was such an avid LSU fan and I, likewise, am a killer Gator enthusiast.  Dickie always treated me and everyone with true honor and respect. He was one of those people that you come across in life where no one can say anything bad – only good.”

In 1996, Gauthreaux was recognized by PCT and Syngenta as a Crown Leaderswhip Award winner.

After retiring, Gauthreaux served on many committees and boards, including the Board of St. Peter Villa Nursing Home, for 15 years. He was Chairman of the Board the last 10 of those years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8151 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138.

Additional source: www.commercialappeal.com