SLS 11RS-2447 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 4
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 144
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Professor Emeritus Robert
Craven Snyder Sr.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of2
Louisiana upon the death of Professor Emeritus Robert Craven Snyder Sr.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of Louisiana4
have learned of the death of Professor Emeritus Robert Craven Snyder Sr. who departed this5
life on June 8, 2011 at age ninety-two; and6
WHEREAS, Robert Snyder was born in Niota, Tennessee on April 30, 1919 and was7
the youngest of six children; and8
WHEREAS, he attended such colleges as Tennessee Wesleyan College, Florence9
State which is now the University of Northern Alabama, Western Kentucky, Tulane10
University, and graduate school at Vanderbilt University; and11
WHEREAS, in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Professor Snyder was a prolific lecturer on12
cultural, civic, and educational affairs throughout the state, and served for years as a member13
on the Executive Council of the Louisiana Commission for the National Endowment for the14
Humanities; and15
WHEREAS, during World War II, Robert C. Snyder Sr. served his country and was16
employed as an "engineer" to work for the Atomic Energy Commission on the top secret17
Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and18 SR NO. 144
SLS 11RS-2447 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, he served as a national editorial critic for many specialized publications1
and fielded questions on a weekly radio broadcast in Shreveport, Louisiana; and2
WHEREAS, he was an avid sports fan and influential in the growth and development3
of Louisiana Tech Athletics, serving on the Louisiana Tech Athletic Council from the late4
1950s through the 1980s, and until health problems slowed them down, he and Mrs. Snyder5
were at every Tech football and basketball game and numerous other university events; and6
WHEREAS, retired for twenty-two years at the time of his death, he is remembered7
by countless friends and students as "THE Mr. Snyder", professor of forty-two years at8
Louisiana Tech, heading first the Department of English and Foreign Language and later the9
Department of English; and 10
WHEREAS, Mr. Snyder was one of the most beloved teachers at Louisiana Tech for11
at least four decades, as he instructed, encouraged, counseled, consoled, challenged, and12
inspired others, and he did it with everything from Plato's Republic to Frost's poetry, all with13
charm and passion, with a shout or a whisper, and at times, a temper; and14
WHEREAS, at his retirement in 1989 he was conferred the rare Professor Emeritus15
title and having established in his name, the Robert C. Snyder English Endowment Chair,16
by former students, Charles and Sam Wylie; he was honored to be Louisiana Tech's first17
Distinguished Professor; and, in 2005, was selected by the Alumni Association for the18
school's Arliss Scroggins Award for Distinguished Service to Louisiana Tech; and19
WHEREAS, throughout his lifetime, he received numerous tributes, articles, and20
accolades to honor the impact he had on education in Louisiana which is recognized by21
many as iconic, and through his teachings, he molded some of Louisiana's finest into the22
men and women they are today; and23
WHEREAS, although teaching was his passion, he was involved in many civic and24
state affairs as follows: he was instrumental in helping establish the Lincoln Parish Library25
in 1962; he served as president of the Lincoln Parish Library Board for thirty-nine years; in26
1966, Governor John McKeithen appointed him to the State Library Board of27
Commissioners; he was reappointed by Governors Edwards, Treen, and Roemer; he served28
as president of the State Library Board and held various positions; he served as a national29
officer in the American Library Association; and, in 1971, he was awarded the coveted30 SR NO. 144
SLS 11RS-2447 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 4
Modisette Award for distinguished service by the Louisiana Library Association; and1
WHEREAS, he served for over twenty years on Louisiana's Commission of2
Governmental Ethics as chairman and as a board member under four governors; and3
WHEREAS, Mr. Snyder has served on countless committees and contributed greatly4
to the state of Louisiana, its educational system, its libraries, and its legal system; however,5
to attempt to describe Mr. Snyder in this way and limit who he was to those honors received6
and to the committees on which he served would do him a great disservice; Mr. Snyder was7
above all a great teacher, and not just to his students but to people in and out of government8
and business who learned a great deal from him and sought his advice; he was a wise and9
gifted educator, and would want to be remembered that way; and10
WHEREAS, he was a loving, devoted, and dedicated husband to his beloved wife,11
Virginia Webb Snyder, for sixty-five years until her death just nine weeks prior to his12
passing, and he was a cherished and committed father, grandfather and great-grandfather;13
and14
WHEREAS, given all his experiences and talents, what he enjoyed most were his15
students, his teaching, and his time at Louisiana Tech; and16
WHEREAS, his brilliance knew no match- his knowing laugh, his acerbic wit, his17
white long sleeved starched shirts, his seersucker suits, his endearing homespun humor, and18
engaging manner combined with his refinement and his civility, will be forever missed by19
his beloved family, countless students, and dear and cherished friends; and20
WHEREAS, the success of our state, the strength of our communities, and the overall21
vitality of American society depend, in great measure on people like Robert Craven Snyder22
Sr. who dedicated his life and his considerable talents, gifts and resources to being a23
progressive voice for education and to helping educate and serve others; and24
WHEREAS, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana honors this extraordinary man25
who shall forever be remembered, and pays tribute to his remarkable legacy that shall live26
long in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched.27
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana28
honors the life of Robert Craven Snyder Sr. and expresses its sincere and heartfelt29
condolences to the family of Robert Craven Snyder Sr. upon the occasion of his death.30 SR NO. 144
SLS 11RS-2447 ORIGINAL
Page 4 of 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his1
three children, Rebecca Snyder Howard, Stephana Snyder Dean, and Dr. Robert Craven2
Snyder Jr.3
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tammy Crain Waldrop.
DIGEST
Thompson SR No. 144
Expresses condolences upon the death of Professor Emeritus Robert Craven Snyder Sr.