Richard D. Snyder (1932-2006)

SNYDER, LUGO, LONG, WOODSIDE, MASSARO, ROSSITER

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 9/28/2006 at 06:16:05

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, September 27, 2006.

Richard D. Snyder
Oct. 30, 1932-Sept. 26, 2006
Richard D. Snyder, 73, of Kalamazoo, Mich., died peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 26, at his home after an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. His family and his dog, Nikki, were at his bedside. Cremation has taken place, and there will be no immediate services or calling hours. The family will host a celebration of Dick's life for family and friends at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at James W. Miller Auditorium on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He was the former director of Western Michigan University's James W. Miller Auditorium.

Dick was born Oct. 30, 1932, in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Russell and Elizabeth Snyder. He graduated from Orrville High School, earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music from Ohio State University and taught music in three rural Ohio school systems while playing string bass full-time in Columbus jazz clubs. Dick returned to his hometown to spend three years as supervisor of music in the Orrville City Schools before entering Indiana University, where he earned a PhD in music education and opera. Before moving to Kalamazoo, he was director of the Iowa State Center at Iowa State University. He was the first director of the Ames International Orchestra Festival co-founded with Columbia Artists Management. He was also music director at Collegiate Presbyterian Church, director of the Ames Community Chorus and music director and co-founder of the orchestra now known as the Central Iowa Symphony. He left Ames to be executive director of the Ordway Music Theater in St. Paul, Minn. He also served as senior consultant with ARTEC International in New York City. In 1988, he was named the director of Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University. He retired from that position in 2000. After retiring, he was chosen as the first director of the Michigan Sacred Music Festival. He also joined the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival's Marketing Committee and the board of directors of the Sisters of St. Joseph Transformation Center. He was a 36-year member of Rotary International and an honorary life member of the International Association of Assembly Managers. He was a past president and honorary life member of the International Society for the Performing Arts. As a presenting member of the Broadway Theater League, he voted in the Tony Award selection process. He served on the Kalamazoo Rotary Club's committee to design and build the Rotary Stage in Bronson Park, Kalamazoo. He sat on the board of directors of the Kalamazoo Convention and Visitors Bureau and was a member of the Kalamazoo Sail and Power Squadron. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carole (Graber) Snyder; his children, Stacy (George) Lugo, of Staten Island, N.Y., [names redacted at request the parties], and Leslie (Christopher) Long, of Sandwich, Mass.; and cherished grandchildren, Jared and Phoebe Long, [name redacted at request of parent], Emma Snyder-Woodside and Nathan Woodside. He also leaves behind his devoted sisters-in-law Donna Massaro, of Dalton, Ohio, and Marilyn Rossiter, of Massillon, Ohio, as well as six nieces and nephews and many close cousins.

He was a big man, with a big heart and great humor. He faced his year-and-a-half battle against cancer with grace and dignity. To the end, he found the inner strength to manage a smile with family and friends.

Throughout his life, he supported a variety of organizations, from the performing arts to animal welfare and rescue.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Octagon, The Ames International Orchestra Festival, the American Cancer Society or the charity of their choice.

The family is being served by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel in Kalamazoo, Mich.

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