Rhea alice gumbel
Early Life and Background
Rhea Alice Gumbel, born Rhea Alice LeCesne on August 15, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana, entered a world rich in Creole culture and complex social history. Her parents were Adrian B. LeCesne and Adele Gaynard LeCesne. Growing up in New Orleans, she was exposed from early on to a blend of French, African, and Creole traditions, which played a formative role in her identity and values.
Her childhood in New Orleans was also shaped by the social constraints and opportunities of the early 20th century in the American South. Though specific details about her schooling are less documented, contemporary genealogical records show that she married Richard Dunbar Gumbel Jr. on January 9, 1945, in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
Marriage, Family and Personal Life
Marriage to Richard Dunbar Gumbel Jr.
Her husband, Richard Dunbar Gumbel Jr., was born on February 19, 1920, in New Orleans and later became a probate judge in Cook County, Illinois. They were married in the mid-1940s, and their union produced a large, close-knit family.
Children and Siblings
Rhea Alice Gumbel was the mother of four known children:
Greg Gumbel, born May 3, 1946.
Bryant Charles Gumbel, born September 29, 1948.
Rhonda Gumbel-Thomas, sister to Greg and Bryant.
Renee Gumbel-Farrahi, born August 22, 1964; she passed away on July 14, 2019.
Rhea also was grandmother to several grandchildren.
Career, Values, and Character
While much of the public recognition around the Gumbel family is due to the careers of Bryant and Greg in journalism and sportscasting, Rhea Alice Gumbel was respected for her own personal qualities and the atmosphere she created in her home.
She was known to be a homemaker and caretaker of her household, deeply committed to family life.
Her values included integrity, education, cultural heritage, and community service, which she passed on to her children.
Though there is less documentation of her professional or public work compared to her sons, she was supportive of civil rights ideals and of her children’s educational opportunities.
Later Years and Passing
Rhea Alice Gumbel lived until May 6, 2008, passing away at age 87 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Her burial took place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, Cook County, Illinois.
Her husband, Richard D. Gumbel Jr., had died earlier, on April 10, 1972.
Legacy
The legacy of Rhea Alice Gumbel is primarily in the lives and work of her children, but it extends further:
Bryant and Greg Gumbel have frequently credited her with instilling a strong ethical foundation, respect for education, and resilience.
The family’s identity as part Creole, part influenced by the diverse culture of New Orleans, has been one aspect of their public persona.
Even though she did not hold high public office or seek fame, her role as a mother, as a figure of continuity and values, gained the respect of those who study family backgrounds of public figures.
Her memory is preserved in genealogical records, biographies of her children, and in articles commemorating her life.
Recent Related Developments
While Rhea Alice Gumbel herself passed away in 2008, here are some of the more recent developments involving her family and how her memory remains relevant as of late 2024 / early 2025:
Greg Gumbel, her son, died on December 27, 2024, at age 78 after a battle with cancer.
Media retrospectives and biographical pieces continue to feature her, especially in the context of Bryant and Greg Gumbel’s careers, highlighting how impactful her upbringing of them was.
There is ongoing interest in exploring the Creole roots of the Gumbel family (including Rhea Alice Gumbel), particularly in New Orleans, and how that heritage influenced their perspectives and careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Rhea Alice Gumbel born and where?
She was born August 15, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Who were her children?
Her children are Greg Gumbel, Bryant Gumbel, Rhonda Gumbel-Thomas, and Renee Gumbel-Farrahi.
What was her husband’s occupation?
She married Richard Dunbar Gumbel Jr., who served as a probate judge in Cook County, Illinois
When did she pass away?
She died on May 6, 2008, in Chicago, Illinois, aged 87.
She influenced their ethics, respect for education, work-ethic, and sense of cultural roots, helping shape their roles as journalists and broadcasters. Her example of resilience, family support, and valuing learning made a lasting mark on them.
Conclusion
Rhea Alice Gumbel was more than “just a mother of famous sons.” She was a woman born into rich cultural roots, who lived through significant social change, and who raised children who would become prominent voices in American media. Her story reminds us that influence is often not about public visibility, but about character, upbringing, values, and love. Her passing in 2008 marked the end of her direct presence, but her lasting impact lives on through her family, their public work, and the values she instilled.
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