Louis St. Martin, 63, truly lived up to his name: he was a saint for the animals who stepped in when no one else could. In 2005, when hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, this kind man opened his heart and his newly constructed barn to rescue teams from Pasado’s Safe Haven and hundreds of frightened, hungry, and sick animals who were devastated by the storm. We were truly saddened to learn this brilliant man recently lost his life in a tragic plane crash, but the man who saved the lives of so many will live on in the memories of those who he profoundly touched over the years.
- Louis and Linda St. Martin’s barn where many hurt and frightened rescued animals were kept safe post Hurricane Katrina.
Louis St. Martin’s sudden death came as a surprise and devastated the animal rescue community. St. Martin was a popular maritime and personal-injury attorney and philanthropist whose generosity saved thousands of lives during Hurricane Katrina and beyond. St. Martin was also an accomplished pilot and he died doing something that he loved.
St. Martin was flying a single-engine, four seat Maule aircraft on Sunday, August 21st, over the town of Brookings, OR, when the plane crashed into a stand of trees and fell into a ravine. St. Martin survived the crash and was rushed to Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, CA, with spinal and other severe injuries. St. Martin was later transported to Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, but despite the medical professionals’ best efforts, he soon succumbed to his injuries.
Louis St. Martin (right) with Pasado Rescuers. We wish we had more photos to share of Louis but we found him to be very humble and content to remain "behind the scenes."
St. Martin’s friends and family find some small solace in the nature of his death. “He always said that he was up there, close to God and close to Heaven,” said Sister Rosario O’Connell, who helped St. Martin in the creation of Louis Infants’ Care Center in Bayou Black.
St. Martin is survived by his wife, Linda; three biological children, and Linda’s child from a prior relationship. His innumerable thoughtful actions, will live on for generations. In addition to his success in the courtroom, St. Martin was well-known for his philanthropy. He donated to Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Vanderbilt Catholic High in Houma, and to his alma mater, Loyola University in New Orleans. The infant center bearing his name began in the late 1970s and still offers housing and aid to abused and neglected children. When O’Connell approached St. Martin about creating the center, he said, “Count me in. I’ll help.” And he certainly came through with his word.
Inside the St. Martin's barn - food, medicine and supplies were collected and the barn was turned into a triage.
Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, what those of us remember about St. Martin was his willingness and capacity to come through. In 2005, Pasado’s Safe Haven rescued over 1200 animals and brought them to safety in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Because of the magnitude of the rescue and in the devastating conditions, it was a life-changing experience for the rescuers involved. A rescue of this proportion would have never been possible if Louis St. Martin had not stepped up and donated the use of his barn and property where the sick, wounded and scared animals were rushed to safety.
Kim Sgro, Former Pasado’s Safe Haven Staff & Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer, shared this wonderful memory of Louis-
Not that long ago, Louis told me a story in his lovely southern way – of how one day he built this big barn with no real plan in place on how to use it. And then something happened … animals needed help, a small group of dedicated rescuers asked him how far he was willing go … he said, “All the way – here’s my barn, my home, my land – do what you must’… and in his own words, he looked me in the eye and said, “it was meant to be.”
Pasado's Safe Haven could never thank Louis St. Martin and his family enough for their generosity.
This amazing man offered his resources and in turn, helped save the lives of so many animals misplaced by the hurricane. St. Martin also profoundly impacted the lives of those he helped, setting many people on a course to forever help animals. Sadly, just a couple of weeks shy of the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Louis St. Martin passed away. It’s that time of year when we are reflecting upon Katrina and how it affected our organization and our lives. Although we are very sad, we are honored to have known such an amazing man who opened his home so that lives could be saved.
As we remember Louis, we are overcome with the realization of just how much one person can make a difference. When disaster strikes, the first thought to enter many people’s minds are: What can I do? Louis knew what he could do and he did it. And that is how so many lives could be saved – by each person knowing what they can do, and doing it. Louis may never know just how many lives his quick decision changed, but we all know, and will be forever grateful.
Here are the words from staff and former staff of Pasado’s Safe Haven and the many rescuers whose lives were touched by the kindness of Louis St. Martin. Their memories of Louis and his wonderful gift explain it best:
In the hectic days following Hurricane Katrina, with his world and his community turned upside down, Louis St Martin warmly welcomed a ragtag bunch of animal rescuers from Pasado’s into his life and onto his land. We had nowhere else to go. There were no hotels, the campgrounds were full, and many rescuers were sleeping in their vehicles on the side of the road in sweltering heat. I’m sure the poor man had no idea that this pathetic troop of do-gooders would quickly mushroom into an army of dedicated volunteers that would transform his tranquil horse farm into a 24-hour crisis center for 7 long weeks. And I never heard him complain once. Even as we filled up his septic system, depleted his water supply, and displaced his farm equipment, creating so much dust and noise that it was difficult for anyone nearby to sleep or even think clearly.
Pasado's Safe Haven's Co-Founder, Mark Steinway, outside the St. Martin's barn with a rescued pup.
But that was Louis. He would quietly wander around the facility, usually undetected and unknown to most of our volunteers, making observations and asking questions so he could give us more of what we wanted – or find out how he could provide something better for us in our efforts. One of my fellow rescuers today asked me if I had a picture of Louis and I was embarrassed to say no, even though I have literally thousands of photos from that rescue. But again, that’s Louis; never wanting to be in the limelight – just trying to help. When we needed more room, he had his employees clear out another stall or another office for us; move tables in; install another air conditioner so a rescued Mama dog could deliver her babies in quiet comfort instead of in the 100-degree barn full of noise and chaos. He and his helpers worked endlessly, sometimes through the night to make his facility work as our center of operations.
The world has lost a truly beautiful person. Generosity, kindness, and compassion are rare commodities in the world today, but Louis St Martin embodied all those traits and more. I know he taught this “Yankee” and surely a few others what “Southern Hospitality” is all about. We are all privileged to have known him and will forever be in his debt. Rest in peace, Louis. You were one of a kind and you will be sorely missed by so many.
Mark Steinway, Co-Founder, Pasado’s Safe Haven
An injured dog receives medical treatment inside the barn.
And then something happened …
Moments with a beautiful human being.
On the Eve of the 6th Anniversary for the Hurricane Katrina, my heart breaks once again. On Tuesday, August 23rd, we lost a shining, brilliant, NOLA miracle worker – Louis St. Martin. Louis was THE person who created the “space” for us, Pasado’s Safe Haven, to rescue the 1200 fear-filled animals we did from this horrific, unprecedented disaster. Without Louis, we would not have accomplished what we did … for the individual animals and for our very own souls.
On September 7th, 2000, just one week after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, Louis and Linda St. Martin stepped forward without hesitation and selflessly offered EVERYTHING they had to allow Pasado’s to pull animal lives from the rubble so they could have a second chance at life. Those of us who were there to have our own life-altering recollection of that time know that it is meaningless to consider all of those mighty and irrevocable memories without recognizing the St. Martins’ true and inspirational benevolence. They were angels on earth.
Not that long ago, Louis told me a story in his lovely southern way – of how one day he built this big barn with no real plan in place on how to use it. And then something happened … animals needed help, a small group of dedicated rescuers asked him how far he was willing go … he said, “All the way – here’s my barn, my home, my land – do what you must”… and in his own words, he looked me in the eye and said, “it was meant to be.”
Kim Sgro, right, and Pasado's Volunteer Vet Staff in the St. Martin's barn.
Yesterday as I sat outside in the sun, sorrowfully recalling this moment with Louis, there were dogs barking wildly in the neighborhood. I started to laugh (and cry), thinking about how fitting it was that this was exactly the noise I heard every time I stood proudly beside Louis in his new-found “rescue” barn in Raceland, LA, 2005. And then something happened … everything fell still and silent for a moment … the breeze, the trees, the cars, the barking dogs … silent. It was powerful and deafening, and I was unable to ignore it. Is it possible that he had just created sacred “space” once again? I’m not much of a believer, but I was moved – as I was in 2005 – by Louis’s clear and indisputable action that was appropriate for that moment in time. I will hold the instances of “disaster chaos conversations” with Louis, as well as yesterday’s moment of peaceful silence with him in my thoughts, deeply rooted in my being – always. Thank you, Louis.
Although my heart is broken today, I know his legacy of extraordinary goodness will live on tomorrow and every day thereafter while his actions during his time on earth continue to inspire me and many others. This larger-than-life man will never be forgotten by any of those who had the great fortune to step into the ‘spaces’ he fashioned. Louis, I love your amazing spirit and promise to try to live up to it. We miss you.
Kim Sgro, Former Pasado’s Safe Haven Staff & Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
I have been processing my thoughts and feelings about Louis St. Martin’s impact — on me, on the animals, on life . . . and this is what I’ve come up with so far:
Outside of the barn, crews get ready to rescue more animals in need.
In a world gone crazy in so many ways, it would be all too easy to lose hope and faith that any one person can do a damn thing to make it any different. Your comment about the life-altering effects of Katrina on each of us is spot-on — as a result of what we did together, I think each of us has chosen to live, love and create a life of meaning as a tribute to the joyous and painful lessons we learned about just how quickly and permanently everything can change in an instant. This journey of self-discovery and self-actualization would not have been possible without Mr. St. Martin’s act of compassion — as a direct result of his contribution, he not only made it possible to save the lives of 1200 animals, but he served as the catalyst for a spark in each of us that has and will continue to touch and influence the lives of countless others. It’s as if he’s at the center of a giant web of humanity, and I have no doubt he looks on with a gentle smile as we celebrate the special force inside each animal we encounter. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that one person CAN indeed make a difference, and we honor his legacy every day that we move forward. My heart goes out to his family, and I am forever humbled by and grateful for his dedication, conviction and love for those less fortunate.
Jennifer McNeil, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
All rescued animals were welcomed at the St. Martin's.
[Louis's] generosity made a huge difference for so many animals and people. He was a very special person as well as everyone else who was down in New Orleans with us. I think this experience has changed all of us, and I am glad that I was able to share this time.
Carolin Behrend, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
Miss Katrina Louise (named after Louis and Louisiana) who was rescued from Hurricane Katrina by Pasado’s rescue would like to say that she is forever grateful for Louis for without his generosity she would not be alive today living the dream in Encinitas, California. We will all join Louis in Heaven one fine day.
Sincerely, Miss Katrina Louise
Another view of the inside of the barn where many animals displaced by Katrina were brought to safety.
It was such a heart ache to hear about Mr. St. Martin. I send hugs out to all our fellow [rescue] volunteers at this sad time. We’ve lost a great soul and ally. When I arrived in LA, I stayed at a B&B in Houma. The Crochets were our hosts and such fine people. Their family had come over from Nova Scotia over 100 years before and they knew all the families around NOLA. I recall meeting Mr. St. Martin and having such a beautiful conversation with him. I do recall him saying to me, “Well, I guess I’ll probably see you again next year since we’re apt to have trouble again soon.”
I also recall sharing with the Crochets about our spending our days in Raceland at “the Barn” and telling them our hosts there were the St. Martins. Connie Crochet immediately knew the family, as she had gone to school with Mr. St. Martin. She asked me to convey her hellos to Mr. St. Martin. It was lovely to experience the hospitality and graciousness of both families. Mr. St. Martin will be missed by so many. And I am sure that his soul will have no challenges finding its place in peace and eternity because there was no mud on his soul.
Rene Hersey, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
What I remember about Louis is that he made room in his heart and on his farm for amazing things to happen. For a diverse group of people from all over the continent to come together and save lives in a desperate, tragic and chaotic time. Louis and Linda: know that in your kindness, generosity and compassion, you made truly uncountable smiles — and wags — possible. We, the animals, their families and their adoptive families cannot say “Thank you, and bless you” enough. But thank you. And bless you.
Here’s a link to my newly updated blog entry on Katrina if anyone is interested. If you have similar links about your own Katrina experience, I’d love to read them.
Keep up the good work, and furry hugs to all–
Of the two things in life I am most proud of are, my kids and what I did at Katrina. No one will ever understand what we saw and went through and what pain and suffering the animals had due to Katrina. It is forever burned in my soul. I know Louis was met by mobs of dogs and cats to help him cross over to heaven.
Claudia Moore, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
Though I only spoke to him a few times, Louis St. Martin’s property was my life for several weeks after Hurricane Katrina. I slept and ate all of my meals in his barn. I trampled his grass with endless dog walking and used gallons of his water to clean kennels. He allowed a complete invasion of his private space in order to help animals in need. I’m so sad he is gone and so happy he was here.
Diana Goodrich, Chimpanzee Sanctuary NW Director of Outreach, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
[Louis's] generosity made a huge difference for so many animals and people. He was a very special person as well as everyone else who was down in New Orleans with us. I think this experience has changed all of us, and I am glad that I was able to share this time.
Carolin Behrend, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
It was heart breaking to hear the news.
I know because of his generosity I was given a chance of a life time – to make a real difference. It was probably the most meaningful experience and opportunity to help in all my life!
Michele (and Mark) Fritz, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuers
So sad about Louis… the animals have lost a good friend.
Charlotte Bass Lilly, Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO)
My thoughts are with the St. Martin family. I only met him once during my time there….but he was a true angel. Really, no one did more for the animals of Katrina then he did. He will be truly missed. xoxoxoxo
Michelle Otto-Simkins, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
Louis was instrumental in providing haven for over 1200 animals following Katrina. Quite a legacy, he will be greatly missed.
Karin Dalesky, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
He gave me Desi and Maddie [two Katrina Pasado's Animal Rescued dogs]. I must think of him and thank the powers that be at least once a week for his presence on this earth. I spent a few hours leaning on his fence shooting the breeze [with him] after a long day in the city forgetting completely the horrors of the day. It’s not fair that he is gone.
Rita Laws, Former Pasado’s Safe Haven Staff & Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
I remember the end of a 12 hour day in broiling heat with no food. We’d been out collecting critters, filled the stock trailer that Louis supplied WITH his crew to drive it. We finished unloading and triage and here comes his staff and his cowboys rolling up a giant bbq on wheels to feed us. Little did he know about the no meat thing but damn that was nice and made me feel like there are good people in the world. I’m forever grateful to Louis and Linda for giving us the opportunity to be of some help.
Carla Dimitriou, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
I remember when we had to start kenneling dogs outside in the corral; it was reaching record temps and Louis let us plug in a bazillion industrial fans. We kept blowing the circuits and Louis, instead of getting upset, figured out a way to make it work!
Then…Hurricane Rita decided to whip her lovely ass through. Louis had his (ranch hand?) Tad secure tarp all around the open area to lessen the effects of the rain and wind on the animals. It helped.
AND THE CHICKEN! I loved that crazy chicken, Louis let us turn her out to be a true free range chicken. She got to hang out with the deer and eat an endless array of bugs, trust me, it was ENDLESS! One problem, the crazy chicken wanted to be the mascot for the dogs. I think when we left, she finally hung out in the field with the deer and the bugs.
I cannot imagine how long it took to get the land back to normal, the property was on a Septic system. A septic system! All of our, theirs, and the animal’s waste went into the land. I never once heard Louis complain about the over-usage. What a selfless man!
RIP Louis, you can never truly know the impact you had in our lives. It was POWERFUL.
Deborah Eizinger, Pasado’s-Katrina Animal Rescuer
I want to pass on a poignant moment I experienced on Saturday, when my daughter Lisa and I were driving from New Orleans toward Venice, on the Gulf. I was very surprised to see a large billboard along Highway 23, advertising Louis’ legal services. I’d seen those billboards in years past, between Raceland and NOLA, but this was in a new place to me, and this time it had a powerful and painful impact.
Lisa and I also attended the 6th anniversary commemoration ceremony in the Lower Ninth Ward this morning, and joined the marchers who marched to the center of the Claiborne bridge over the Industrial Canal and threw a wreath into the canal to memorialize the people who perished in those terrible days six years ago. To me, the wreath also commemorated all those four-legged victims that we weren’t able to save.
I hope you’re all doing well on this sad day, and send you all my best from New Orleans.
Bill Daugaard
The way I remember Louis, is the way he looked on the night after I’d returned for my second stay at Raceland – about 2 weeks into the rescue effort. The barn shelter had grown from an 11-person effort into an incredibly busy, well-run operation. I was in shock at seeing so many dogs – 12 to 15 in stalls that had still been mostly empty by the end of the first week, and I wondered whether Louis and Linda felt really OK with this. Then, as Claudia and I were trying to wrestle a big rottie into one of the crates, Louis wandered into the stall. He grinned at us and he looked entirely satisfied and not at all bothered by the incredible smells around him and the din of the fans and the barking of the traumatized creatures that he was giving refuge to. I could see that to him it was all about the animals and I felt such a wave of gratitude and love for Louis at that moment.
Anna
I will never forget the first reunion I witnessed with a man and his dog at Raceland. The dog was the only living dog we found at that HORRIBLE school that one day. She was completely freaked out, trying to bite, totally scared. But she had a note with her owner’s contact information. He had been evacuated to Arkansas. So it took him a couple of days to get to Raceland. Meanwhile, the little girl was still freaked out, would not let anyone touch her, which made cleaning her crate every day fun 
. If you came within a couple of feet of her crate, she would bark and growl and lunge. When her owner came, she did the same thing to him, so I was heart broken. I thought, maybe this isn’t his dog, or maybe she is just so traumatized, she will never be a normal dog again. Then in a split second, she stopped barking and growling, and a spark of recognition of her owner crossed her face. All of the sudden she started leaping up on him, kissing his face, barking joyfully, wagging her whole body! Her owner, who was a VERY large, brut looking man with a stern face started crying and sobbing and saying over and over that he thought he would never see her again, and he was so happy, he couldn’t believe it. I don’t think I have ever cried for happiness that hard in my life when I witnessed that. I will never forget how I felt when I saw that, and hearing that reunion recording brought that feeling back.
On to another subject about turtles and fish…. there was another turtle that was found in a house that we broke into looking for pets that was a tiny little pet turtle in a plastic aquarium. Anyway, I took that turtle home with me because I didn’t think anyone would come looking for a pet turtle, and I’m pretty sure no one at Raceland, who, like myself, are more mammal type people, would want him. And I still have him to this day. He now lives in a 100 gallon tank, is a strict vegetarian, and is about 10 times the size it was in NO
It’s so great to hear all of these stories. Once again, Louis St. Martin brought a group of wonderful animal-loving people together who want to make a difference for animals
Bethany
This is Karen, one of the dog groomers/walkers/pooper scoopers, who came to NO to help after the storm. Even if we have not met we all are all bound together by the wish to help others in need. It was Louis St. Martin and his gracious wife Linda who made it so much more possible for us to have followed our hearts, and for that I will never foget their generosity of spirit. A piece of Louis’ spirit floats with every creature we were able to save. And a piece of his spirit grows with every friendship made and forged on the farm. Thank you Louis!
I’ve attached some interviews I taped while on the farm. Listening to them today brought back memories. I could almost feel the dust and heat and, for sure, the love. I ended up making a 30 min audio doc from my Katrina interviews (many from the farm in Raceland). Unfortunately I did not get Louis on tape, but the attached sounds include a couple reunions and Debra’s tale of a turtle rescue : ) Debra, are you out there! I send you a hug! My audio doc is on www.prx.org if you want more. On the home page look up “The dogs (and a turtle) of Katrina” in the search bar. PRX has an audio play list of other stories on its home page related to Katrina as the anniversary will be tomorrow.
I send all a huge hug and am so grateful we crossed paths. And thank you Kim for reminding me of our connections.
Love, Karen
This is very sad news. He was a great guy, we owe him ever single life saved.
Ahmad Jakish, Pasado’s Rescue Team
Thank you, Louis, and St. Martin family. So many lives were saved because of you.
Louis St. Martin, you touched more lives than you may have ever known. Your legacy lives on in the many hearts that would not be beating if not for your limitless benevolence. May we rejoice in your life by continuing to be a force and a voice for the animals.