Richard Zuschlag, Founder of Acadian Ambulance, Passes Away at 76; Leaves Legacy of Compassionate Service and Community Impact

Richard Zuschlag, a Pennsylvania native who moved to Lafayette in 1970 and founded a company with two ambulances that grew into the nation’s largest privately held medical transportation firm, passed away early Wednesday at 76 in Lafayette due to complications following cancer treatment.

Zuschlag, a driven executive, co-founded Acadian Ambulance Service with two partners, establishing a company renowned for prioritizing people over profits.

“When the phone rang and someone was dying, we responded,” Zuschlag said in a 2016 interview, outlining the company’s initial approach that became its business model.

At his death, Zuschlag was the chairman and CEO, owning the controlling interest in the company.

Blending a passion for mechanics—he fixed his high school’s PA system on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated—with meticulous attention to detail and an ability to charm necessary politicians, Zuschlag expanded the ambulance service.

He counted presidents, senators, and Supreme Court justices among his acquaintances, often hosting them at his luxurious lodge in Cameron Parish, yet he was equally committed to aiding political nobodies.

Acadian Ambulance, headquartered in Lafayette, employs 5,200 people and operates in four states and 37 Louisiana parishes. Under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), employees own 80% of the company.

“Very few people earn the greatest award in humanity, which is to positively impact so many lives. Richard Zuschlag was one of them,” Gov. Jeff Landry said. “His legacy is one of caring, sharing, and making Acadiana a better place to call home!”

Former Gov. John Bel Edwards expressed hope that Zuschlag's family takes comfort in his contributions to others. "He wasn’t just a great Louisianan; he was a great man," Edwards said. "Donna and I knew Richard as a loyal friend and devoted family man. Through his philanthropy, he devoted his life to improving Louisiana."

Embracing 'the way of the Cajun people'

Zuschlag arrived in Lafayette by chance. After growing up in Greenville, Pennsylvania, he graduated with two science degrees from the Capitol Institute of Technology near Washington, D.C., then worked for Westinghouse Space and Defense Center in Baltimore and was assigned to Lafayette.

Initially longing to return to Pennsylvania to pursue his dream of owning a local radio station, Zuschlag soon fell in love with the local culture, family atmosphere, and “let the good times roll” attitude.

Seeing a business opportunity in 1971 after local funeral homes ceased ambulance services, Zuschlag sought approval from Lafayette’s mayor, Ray Bertrand. Initially rejected due to their youth, Zuschlag eventually secured approval after a persistent appeal, including having Bertrand call the mayor of Greenville for a reference.

With $2,500 in capital, he and two friends, Roland Dugas Jr. and Ronald Buckner, borrowed enough to buy two ambulances and founded Acadian Ambulance. They hired eight Vietnam War veterans as medics to cover 279 square miles of Lafayette Parish. Zuschlag often worked around the clock, driving ambulances by day and dispatching by night, sometimes sleeping at the office.

The company grew by providing unmatched service, supported by a membership model where the public could buy memberships for $15 a year, ensuring free ambulance rides. This model sustained the company, reinvesting profits into equipment and taking loans to cover gaps until the next membership drive.

'When I got up in the morning, I started doing'

Without a formal business plan, the company thrived on Zuschlag's action-oriented leadership.

“I noticed others spent so much time in planning sessions but never got anything done. I was a doer,” Zuschlag said.

His hands-on approach ensured ambulances reached those in need, no matter where they were.

State Senator Page Cortez recalled Zuschlag's swift response to a personal emergency, exemplifying his hands-on and compassionate management style.

In later years, Zuschlag reflected on his forceful management style, recognizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, which he credited with improving his life and leadership.

Acadian expanded into six divisions: Acadian Ambulance Service, Acadian Air Med, Executive Aircraft Charter Service, Acadian Total Security, National EMS Academy, and Safety Management Systems. Instituting an ESOP in 1993, Zuschlag aimed to attract and retain top employees, offering them a share in the company’s success.

Developing political relationships

Zuschlag cultivated relationships with every Louisiana governor since the 1970s, alongside local officials, to secure operational permissions and favorable transport rates for Medicaid and Medicare patients.

Former Senator John Breaux lauded Zuschlag’s tenacity and engaging personality, which facilitated crucial federal meetings.

Acadian's growth enabled Zuschlag to support various causes, providing his company airplane for athletic recruiting and political travel. He maintained relationships with politicians, assisting them even after they left office.

Zuschlag served on numerous boards and committees, receiving accolades for his contributions, including induction into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2019.

His leadership significantly shaped Lafayette and Acadiana, as noted by One Acadiana CEO Troy Wayman.

Zuschlag met his wife, Elaine, while driving patients to Breaux Bridge Community Hospital where she worked as a nurse. They had three children: Blaise, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Acadian; Beth LeBlanc, Acadian’s associate counsel; and Blair, an insurance executive, along with nine grandchildren.

Tyron Picard, former executive vice president at Acadian, praised Zuschlag’s demanding yet impactful leadership, acknowledging his quiet acts of kindness and community contributions.

Reflecting on Zuschlag's decision to remain in Lafayette, Picard emphasized his profound impact on the community, sharing his success and uplifting the region.