Alfred “Al” A. Olinde, MD passed away at the age of 93 years of old age on February 24, 2026. He is survived by his 3 children; Anna O. Oleson (Eric), Alfred A. “Fred” Olinde (Melanie) and William T. “Bill” Olinde and his grandchildren; Katherine “Coco” Olinde, James Olinde, and Anna M. Olinde; and step grandchildren Max Wild Oleson, James “J.T.” Tracy, and Nick Tracy, as well as 25 nieces and nephews, his younger brother Christopher “Chris” Olinde, and his sister-in-law, Diane Olinde. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Verline Chapman Olinde who passed on September 15, 2021; father Humphrey Theodore Olinde, and mother Elsie Marie Heck Olinde; as well as his siblings: Joseph B. “J.B.” Olinde, Elizabeth “Betty” Wilson, Elsie Patricia “Pat” Laurent, Humphrey T. “Bubber” Olinde, and Henry “Heck” Olinde.
Al was born in and grew up in New Roads, Louisiana. He had many fond and vivid memories of his childhood such as participating in the 4-H club, working at his family’s Feed and Seed and hardware Store where he drove big trucks at the age of 13, but mostly he loved time spent with his siblings and an extensive family that lived nearby. Al was bestowed a Bachelor of Science degree and a Medical Doctor degree from Louisiana State University. He also received a post doctorate degree in Psychiatry and completed training and credentialing in Psychoanalysis from the New Orleans Psychoanalytic Institute.
He began his career for a brief time in Connecticut, before moving and spending the majority of his life in a Victorian home on the corner of Soniat St. and Dryades St. in uptown New Orleans. He also spent time at a second home on Treasure Island where he would enjoy watching sunsets over Lake Pontchatrain. He spent many summers in Highlands, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Early in his career, he was an active member and leader in the New Orleans Psychoanalytic community where he served as President of the New Orleans Psychoanalytic Society from 1975 to 1977. He served as a member of the New Orleans Hypnosis Institute and the American society of Clinical Hypnosis. He was one of the 7 Founding Medical Doctors of the original River Oaks Psychiatric Hospital. While practicing medicine, he observed that some of his clients would have greater success if they had more intensive treatment and/or a structured residence with around the clock support. To avoid repeated hospitalizations, he founded and developed 2 comprehensive outpatient clinics in New Orleans and Slidell. These clinics were staffed with a variety of professionals for multidisciplinary and integrated treatment offerings, initially Alternative’s Clinic and then Center For Better Living and later outpatient partial hospital programs and the Serenity House group home. He retired at age 70.
In addition to maintaining a Psychiatric practice, Al was interested in real-estate development in New Orleans. He was inspired by travels to Europe to introduce New Orleans with its European heritage such as a sidewalk café under the Live Oaks of St. Charles Ave. with a view of the trolley. Many remember fondly The Que Sera Restaurant and Bar, especially the popular gatherings at Wednesdays 3 for 1 happy hour spilling out into the side street. Que Sera was also our family’s favorite spot to go out to dinner and to watch Mardi Gras parades. He continued developing businesses, often in partnerships, on that same block where he practiced medicine, including The St. Charles Inn, The Uptown Inn, The Carondelet Apartments, The Avenue Studio Gift Shop, The Blue Bird Café, and 2 parking lots.
Al and Verline loved giving parties and having celebrations with others. He was active in many social organizations in New Orleans that enriched his love for Mardi Gras revelry. He had fun at events such as those offered at The Plimsoll Club, Knights of Babylon, Alexis, and The Round Table Club. When he and Verline moved to Slidell in 1990, they became active in expanding the cultural arts and participating in civic fundraisers, such helping to found the Slidell Symphony Society chapter of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. At Rotary Club in Slidell, Al spearheaded an Octoberfest fundraiser and participated in many Rotary-led civic projects.
In his later retirement years, after they moved to Mandeville post Hurricane Katrina, Al started a local writers’ group with his dear friends Al and Sandra Burnstein. He spent many hours writing short stories and poetry. He became an author, self-publishing several small books including: Wheeling into Manhood, The Yellow Balloon, Mirror Lake, and Magical Memories.
Our father was a gentle soul, a humanitarian, who was easy to talk with because he was a good listener, open-minded, and interested in many varied topics. With a vivid imagination and self-determination, his love of beauty and the cultural arts inspired creative pursuits in literature, painting, home renovations, and gardening projects where the neighbors could hear his opera and classical music playing as he worked. He was a loving and generous father and husband who will be cherished in our memory.
Family and friends are welcome to a Visitation held at E.J. Fielding Funeral home, 2260 West 21st Avenue. Covington, from 9:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, March 7, 2026. A service will follow the funeral. Interment at Pinecrest Memorial Garden.
