LAKE CHARLES - Retired McNeese State University President Robert Hebert has died while vacationing in Italy with his family. He was 77.
    
The university said in a news release Tuesday Hebert died of a brain hemorrhage on Monday.
    
Hebert, a native of Abbeville, came to McNeese in 1969 as an associate professor of history. He served as vice president of academic affairs from 1980 to 1987 and became the fifth president of McNeese in 1987. He served 23 years as president. He retired in June 2010 and was named President Emeritus by the University of Louisiana System Board of Trustees. At the time of his retirement, he was one of the longest serving university presidents in the country.
    
Hebert is survived by his wife and four sons.
    
Funeral services are pending.