SLS 11RS-2983 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 4
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 129
BY SENATOR KOSTELKA
CONDOLENCES. Express condolences upon the death of Professor Emeritus Robert C.
Snyder Sr. educator, civic leader, and public servant.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Professor Emeritus Robert C. Snyder Sr. educator, civic leader, and public3
servant.4
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of5
the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert C. Snyder Sr. age ninety-two, on Wednesday, June6
8, 2011, just nine weeks after the death of his beloved wife of sixty-five years, Virginia7
Webb Snyder; and8
WHEREAS, Robert Snyder was born in Niota, Tennessee, on April 30, 1919, the9
youngest of six children; and 10
WHEREAS, he attended Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tennessee; studied11
at Florence State now the University of Northern Alabama, Western Kentucky, and Tulane;12
attended graduate school at Vanderbilt; and, with his family, spent summers at the13
University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama; and14
WHEREAS, although teaching was his passion, "Bob" Snyder was involved in civic15
and state affairs for many years; and16
WHEREAS, in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, he was a prolific lecturer on cultural, civic,17
and educational affairs throughout the state, was chosen as a member of the Executive18 SR NO. 129
SLS 11RS-2983 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 4
Council on the Louisiana Commission for the Humanities, served as a national editorial1
critic for many specialized publications, and fielded questions on a weekly radio broadcast2
in Shreveport; and3
WHEREAS, in 1962, Mr. Snyder worked to establish the Lincoln Parish Library,4
serving as President of the Board from its inception to recent years; in1966, Governor5
McKeithen appointed him to the State Library Board of Commissioners; and he was6
reappointed as President of the State Library Board, was awarded the coveted Modisette7
Award by the Louisiana Library Association, and served as a national officer in the8
American Library Association; and9
WHEREAS, in 1971, he was appointed by Governor Treen to serve on the Louisiana10
State Ethics Commission and served as Chairman and was a board member for twenty-six11
years; and12
WHEREAS, Bob Snyder was proud to have been employed during war time as an13
"engineer" by the Atomic Energy Commission to work on the Top Secret Manhattan Project14
at Oak Ridge, Tennessee during the development of the Atomic bomb; and15
WHEREAS, above all, Professor Snyder enjoyed a remarkable forty-two year career16
at Louisiana Tech University during which time, he was head of the Department of English17
and Foreign Language and later the Department of English; and18
WHEREAS, Mr. Snyder was also an avid sports fan, as both he and his wife were19
attended Tech football and basketball games and other events regularly, and he served on20
the Tech Athletic Council from the late 1950's through the 1980's; and21
WHEREAS, he loved the classroom where he instructed, encouraged, counseled,22
consoled, challenged, and inspired students and, to his last days, could recall the countless23
Tech students he taught by name; and24
WHEREAS, Professor Snyder, in a speech many years ago, first espoused his25
philosophy of life as follows:26
"I am so very weary of hearing that the world is going to be blown up—that youth27
is not to be trusted—that there is no chance for greatness today—that most of the28
frontiers have been conquered," he said. "Let me say to you that all of these29
suggestions are untrue and will not come to pass, for we are actually just in the30 SR NO. 129
SLS 11RS-2983 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 4
infancy of civilization, and you are living in a glorious age and day. Man is just1
beginning to crawl, so to speak."2
"Troubles and problems will give you strength," he said. "Your only resolve should3
be to maintain fidelity to just principle, to what is right, to what is noble, to what4
ought to be."; and5
WHEREAS, at his retirement in 1989, he was honored to be conferred the rare6
Professor Emeritus title, became Louisiana Tech's first Distinguished Professor, and former7
students, Charles and Sam Wyly established the Robert C. Snyder Chair English8
Endowment; and9
WHEREAS, he was selected by the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association for the10
school's Arliss Scroggin's Award for Distinguished Service to the university well after11
retirement in 2005; and12
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents, Sophia Elizabeth Brock and13
Robert Harrison Snyder; step-mother, Alpha Simpson Snyder; his beloved wife, Virginia14
Webb Snyder; sisters, Elizabeth Snyder Harrington, Ava Snyder Glendenning; Mary Frances15
Snyder Smith; brothers, Samuel Snyder, Gilbert Snyder; and half sisters, Mary Jane Snyder16
Sewell and Sue Snyder Long; and17
WHEREAS, Robert Snyder is survived by his three devoted children, seven18
grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: Rebecca Snyder Howard and husband Dr.19
Rennie Howard; Stephana Snyder Dean and husband Albert " Bud"; Dr. Robert C. Snyder,20
Jr. and wife Gayle Langley Snyder and daughter Molly Snyder; grandchildren, Tad Howard21
and wife Susan and son Grady; Scottie Howard Brown and husband David Brown; Virginia22
"Ginny" Dean Nolen and husband Drew and children Melanie and Mary Elizabeth Nolen;23
Robbie Dean; Dr. Steven Snyder and wife Janet and children Will and Evelyn; Dr. Hunter24
Snyder and wife Jennifer and daughter Jillian; two beloved half-brothers, William Snyder25
and Joe Snyder and their families; and many cherished nieces and nephews; and26
WHEREAS, he was as beloved as he was at times difficult; his brilliancy had no27
match; his white long sleeve starched shirts and seer sucker suits…his knowing laugh, his28
acerbic wit and charm, and his engaging manner of telling stories combined with his29
refinement will be forever missed; and30 SR NO. 129
SLS 11RS-2983 ORIGINAL
Page 4 of 4
WHEREAS, he was a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-1
grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and his memory will live forever in the minds and2
hearts of those who knew and loved him.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
does hereby recognize and acknowledge the many contributions of Professor Robert C.5
Snyder to the United States of America, Louisiana, and Louisiana Tech University, but6
primarily his lasting impact upon his students, and does hereby express sincere condolences7
to the family of Professor Robert C. Snyder upon the occasion of his death.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to9
Rebecca Snyder Howard, Stephana Snyder Dean, and Dr. Robert C. Snyder, Jr.10
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Kostelka SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Professor Robert C. Snyder, educator, civic leader,
and public servant.