Birth date: Feb 14, 1953 Death date: May 22, 2025
Dr. Richard Ocie Bessent passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025. He was a beloved doctor and resident of the Greater New Orleans area for more than 40 wonderful years. He is survived by his wife, Susan Macaluso Bessent; his childre Read Obituary
An excellent and well written obituary truly honoring the memory of Dr. Bessent. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few times for appointments and he was always very pleasant which led me to recommend him to others. Many prayers and heartfelt concern from our family to his. May the peace of Christ be with each of you now and always.
Dr. Bessent was my ophthalmologist since around 1988 and provided me with excellent service. From routine care and annual examinations to cataract surgery. He was a darn good surgeon and ophthalmologist and I am very saddened to learn of this passing. Dr. Bessent also had a really good and friendly "bedside manner" and I always enjoyed seeing him. A great sense of humor and very, very knowledgeable.
Dr Bessent guided me through 30 years of hard contact lenses and then a transition period of 3 months into lasick surgeries. He was kind and caring throughout all! I certainly will miss him. Liz Arceneaux
Simply, one of the best obituaries ever written for one of the best doctors ever. It was always a pleasure to have an appointment with Dr Bessent because he was always so positive, happy and just fun to be around. He was truly one of a kind.
I’m so very sorry to hear of Dr. Bessent’s passing. He became my doctor when I moved here almost 30 years ago, and performed both cataract surgeries for me. He has been and will be missed!
All of us are thinking of Richard and you all. Richard has been such a dedicated ophthalmologist to us as well as a cherished friend and neighbor for so many years.
Even after his stroke he gave his time and efforts to advise me on my cataract surgeries.
He was one of those very few ophthalmologists who embraced new medical advances as well as become proficient at these procedures as opposed to most who pretty much practice the same way they were originally trained.
It was due to his exceptional intelligence, work ethic and curiosity to always be learning how to improve his medical skills.
He also was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people we have been honored to know.
He will be dearly missed!!
Ann, John, David and Celeste Moores
Dr. Bessent be came my ophthalmologist in the 1980’s. I had so many problems and he would joke with me about entering my case in different medical journals! I was so saddened to learn of his retirement and he will always be missed! Good bye to my Doctor and friend. You made quite a mark in the world!
In 1994, Dr. Bessent made a sight saving diagnosis when I was 15. He monitored my care and eyesight for nearly 15 years thereafter. He was patient, kind, strong and loving. He was everything a physician should be. His staff followed his lead in care and kindness. I am forever indebted to Dr. Bessent. God has called home a special man we were blessed to have with us. My love, prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Dr. Bessent gave me back my sight. I contracted a virus from an incident in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The steroid medication that I had to use to combat the virus caused my cataracts to grow at a rapid pace. I was almost completely blind by the time of my cataract surgery. Oh, the miracle of sight! It took many, many years to get me completely through the virus; Dr. Bessent was with me through it all.
So very sorry to hear to this sad sad news! Dr. Bessent was a wonderful doctor and always with a great sense of humor. Prayers that God gives his family and friends loving comfort and strength. May he rest in peace.
