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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 144
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana upon the death of Professor Emeritus Robert Craven Snyder Sr.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of Louisiana
have learned of the death of Professor Emeritus Robert Craven Snyder Sr. who departed this
life on June 8, 2011 at age ninety-two; and
WHEREAS, Robert Snyder was born in Niota, Tennessee on April 30, 1919 and was
the youngest of six children; and
WHEREAS, he attended such colleges as Tennessee Wesleyan College, Florence
State which is now the University of Northern Alabama, Western Kentucky, Tulane
University, and graduate school at Vanderbilt University; and
WHEREAS, in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Professor Snyder was a prolific lecturer on
cultural, civic, and educational affairs throughout the state, and served for years as a member
on the Executive Council of the Louisiana Commission for the National Endowment for the
Humanities; and
WHEREAS, during World War II, Robert C. Snyder Sr. served his country and was
employed as an "engineer" to work for the Atomic Energy Commission on the top secret
Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, he served as a national editorial critic for many specialized publications
and fielded questions on a weekly radio broadcast in Shreveport, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he was an avid sports fan and influential in the growth and development
of Louisiana Tech Athletics, serving on the Louisiana Tech Athletic Council from the late
1950s through the 1980s, and until health problems slowed them down, he and Mrs. Snyder
were at every Tech football and basketball game and numerous other university events; and
WHEREAS, retired for twenty-two years at the time of his death, he is remembered SR NO. 144 ENROLLED
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by countless friends and students as "THE Mr. Snyder", professor of forty-two years at
Louisiana Tech, heading first the Department of English and Foreign Language and later the
Department of English; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Snyder was one of the most beloved teachers at Louisiana Tech for
at least four decades, as he instructed, encouraged, counseled, consoled, challenged, and
inspired others, and he did it with everything from Plato's Republic to Frost's poetry, all with
charm and passion, with a shout or a whisper, and at times, a temper; and
WHEREAS, at his retirement in 1989 he was conferred the rare Professor Emeritus
title and having established in his name, the Robert C. Snyder English Endowment Chair,
by former students, Charles and Sam Wylie; he was honored to be Louisiana Tech's first
Distinguished Professor; and, in 2005, was selected by the Alumni Association for the
school's Arliss Scroggins Award for Distinguished Service to Louisiana Tech; and
WHEREAS, throughout his lifetime, he received numerous tributes, articles, and
accolades to honor the impact he had on education in Louisiana which is recognized by
many as iconic, and through his teachings, he molded some of Louisiana's finest into the
men and women they are today; and
WHEREAS, although teaching was his passion, he was involved in many civic and
state affairs as follows: he was instrumental in helping establish the Lincoln Parish Library
in 1962; he served as president of the Lincoln Parish Library Board for thirty-nine years; in
1966, Governor John McKeithen appointed him to the State Library Board of
Commissioners; he was reappointed by Governors Edwards, Treen, and Roemer; he served
as president of the State Library Board and held various positions; he served as a national
officer in the American Library Association; and, in 1971, he was awarded the coveted
Modisette Award for distinguished service by the Louisiana Library Association; and
WHEREAS, he served for over twenty years on Louisiana's Commission of
Governmental Ethics as chairman and as a board member under four governors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Snyder has served on countless committees and contributed greatly
to the state of Louisiana, its educational system, its libraries, and its legal system; however,
to attempt to describe Mr. Snyder in this way and limit who he was to those honors received
and to the committees on which he served would do him a great disservice; Mr. Snyder was SR NO. 144 ENROLLED
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above all a great teacher, and not just to his students but to people in and out of government
and business who learned a great deal from him and sought his advice; he was a wise and
gifted educator, and would want to be remembered that way; and
WHEREAS, he was a loving, devoted, and dedicated husband to his beloved wife,
Virginia Webb Snyder, for sixty-five years until her death just nine weeks prior to his
passing, and he was a cherished and committed father, grandfather and great-grandfather;
and
WHEREAS, given all his experiences and talents, what he enjoyed most were his
students, his teaching, and his time at Louisiana Tech; and
WHEREAS, his brilliance knew no match- his knowing laugh, his acerbic wit, his
white long sleeved starched shirts, his seersucker suits, his endearing homespun humor, and
engaging manner combined with his refinement and his civility, will be forever missed by
his beloved family, countless students, and dear and cherished friends; and
WHEREAS, the success of our state, the strength of our communities, and the overall
vitality of American society depend, in great measure on people like Robert Craven Snyder
Sr. who dedicated his life and his considerable talents, gifts and resources to being a
progressive voice for education and to helping educate and serve others; and
WHEREAS, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana honors this extraordinary man
who shall forever be remembered, and pays tribute to his remarkable legacy that shall live
long in the hearts of the many people whose lives he touched.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
honors the life of Robert Craven Snyder Sr. and expresses its sincere and heartfelt
condolences to the family of Robert Craven Snyder Sr. upon the occasion of his death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
three children, Rebecca Snyder Howard, Stephana Snyder Dean, and Dr. Robert Craven
Snyder Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE