Lafayette man dies after boat collision near Butte La Rose welcome center

A Lafayette man's body was recovered from the Little Atchafalaya River after he was ejected when his boat collided with another. 

Robert Schoeffler, who had been missing since April 29, was found Friday in St. Martin Parish, according to a release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. 

He was "an avid sportsman who loved to fish and hunt the waters and marshes of South Louisiana as well as the mountains of New Mexico," according to his obituary. "He departed this life doing what he loved to do, en route to what was sure to be a glorious afternoon of fishing."

Schoeffler was operating a 16-foot vessel with a passenger on board when another vessel collided with them about two miles south of the Butte La Rose Welcome Center Board Launch. 

The 81-year-old and a passenger were ejected into the water without personal floatation devices, according to wildlife and fisheries. Schoeffler didn't resurface but the passenger was able to swim back to the vessel. 

The operator of the other vessel was unconscious but the vessel was taking on water. A good Samaritan was able to rescue that operator before the vessel sank, according to wildlife and fisheries. The operator was airlifted to Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. 

Search crews from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division, Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office searched for Schoeffler every day, according to a release. 

Schoeffler co-founded the architectural practice Schoeffler & Bourdier Architects in 1977.

"After closing the firm in April of this year, he was looking forward to the next stage of his life and doing more of what he loved to do - hunt, fish, spend time with family and friends, enjoy weekly supper club, and take road trips with his loving wife of 53 years to see different parts of the country," his family wrote in his obituary. 

The boat collision is being investigated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.