"It was a sad thing," veteran director Roy Karch told XBIZ. "Ron Sullivan [Pachard's real name] was one of the true gentlemen of our business. He was a true filmmaker, too. When you said 'rack-focus,' he understood it. Ron was also a pornographer. He was dirty-minded, as reflected in his toilet scenes and stuff with Gloria Leonard in New York."
Pachard's career went back to the '70s Golden Age, when adult productions were shot on film, using scripts and actors from the New York acting community, and shown in theaters. He directed more than 300 titles, writing and directing classic films including "Outlaw Ladies," "October Silk," "The Budding of Brie" and "Babylon Pink." He was working as recently as last year, when he was shooting gonzo scenes on video.
Pachard, who had been treated for squamous cell carcinoma in his jaw in 2005, was diagnosed with throat cancer earlier this year.
"He was a man's man," Karch said. "Very charming. Married five times, divorced four. He traveled the world, shooting movies, and lived a life."
Pachard is survived by his wife Deloras and two adult sons, one of whom is adult-industry cinematographer Ralph Parfait.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
