Bert Lee Rivard

Bert Lee Rivard, 76, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Bert was born and raised in Jackson, MI on August 11, 1947.  After graduating from high school and spending a couple of years at Western Michigan University, Bert enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. Ft. Bliss was his first permanent duty station as a HAWK Air Defense mechanic.  Bert met the love of his life, Danielle, in El Paso and they were married on September 16, 1978.  Running around in a green suit quit being fun for Bert and he retired from the Army as a CW3 in 1989.  In civilian life, Bert finished his double major bachelor’s degree from Park College and found professional footing as a field engineer supporting the Army’s Aerial Target Flight Services contract.  Bert retired for good in July 2014 after serving his country for a total of forty-seven years. Bert loved his country, his animals, his stamp and coin collections, daily crossword puzzles, solving the world’s geopolitical issues over a cup of coffee, and above all else making sure his family members were well taken care of.  He was fiercely independent, incredibly intelligent, ridiculously handy, a wealth of wit, funny, the man with a plan, and an irreplaceable pillar of support and guidance for friends and family alike. Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Helen Rivard, and his brother, John Rivard.  He is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Danielle Rivard, his daughters Dawn Lavka (Tom), Crystal Traxler, and Desirée Herrera (Tony), his son Brian Rivard, and his grandchildren Kyle Lavka, Victor Herrera, Breanne Baray, Michael Herrera, Cody Traxler, Alyssa Herrera, and Brandon Traxler. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Perkins, Dr. Purcell, and their respective teams from William Beaumont Army Medical Center; Miguel, Michelle, Isaac, Daisy, and the rest of the neuro ICU, therapists, and teams at Providence Hospital’s Sierra and East Campuses; Debbie, Vicky, and their respective teams at Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation; and all the friends and family that have reached out and offered a variety of support over the last few months. Bert’s burial service will be held at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with full military honors on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 1:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, Bert would have wanted donations to be made to a local veteran’s organization/charity or animal shelter/rescue of your choosing.