Rixford K. Snyder

Professor Rixford K. Snyder "We finish to begin." This was the mantra of Professor Rixford Kinney Snyder. Rixford lived to his centenary and he experienced his 100 years with countless opportunities to successfully "finish to begin." He passed away on January 8, of natural causes while sleeping at his residence in Palo Alto. He followed the precedent of his beloved grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Lester, and dear aunt, Hazel Lester Cilker Smith, who also lived beyond one hundred years. Rixford was born November 10, 1908 in San Jose to Alice and Charles Snyder. His parents were both raised in San Jose and their families were among the earliest settlers in the Santa Clara Valley. Rixford's life and accomplishments were truly remarkable. After graduating from San Jose High School he entered Stanford University and remained a vital force and influence on the campus the rest of his life. He received his BS in 1930, his MA in 1934 and his PhD in 1940. From 1935 to 1937 he held the honor of being a Royall Victor fellow in history. He became a favored and respected history professor and co-authored a text book, Readings In Western Civilization, with his colleague, George H. Knoles. He left Stanford University during World War II and served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy. Always the Professor, he was an academic instructor in the Naval pre-flight school at St. Mary's College and the University of Iowa, a historian at the Bureau of Ordinance in Washington D. C, and served on Admiral Nimitz' staff as a Pacific fleet naval operations analyst in Honolulu. After the war, his masterful career as a Stanford history professor continued until 1949 when Stanford's President, Wallace Sterling, asked Rixford to change course. For the next twenty years he served as the University's Dean and Director of Admissions. Rixford tenaciously tackled the task and and admitted 38,000 outstanding freshmen from around the world. During this tenure he was also chairman of the College Entrance Examination Board for two years and on the Board of Trustees of Menlo College as it was converting to a four year, co-ed college. In 1969 Rixford felt his service in the university admissions profession was accomplished. During his visionary direction, he created a superior student body which resulted in alumni who would be life-long supporters on the university. Eager to serve his alma mater in a different capacity, he joined the Stanford Alumni Department and created the Travel/Study Program. During the next five years, Rixford organized 45 world-wide travel/study trips. He and his wife, Elliott, conducted so many cruises down the Danube River he was dubbed "Dean of the Danube," made an honorary citizen of Vienna, and was presented a key to the city. Subsequently many other colleges and universities adopted and emulated Rixford's travel/study plan. In 1974 as Rixford retired, his new legacy was emerging. A perpetual athletic scholarship fund was established and through the years, with donations from Rixford, his colleagues, family and friends, to date "The Rixie Fund" has granted 40 athletes full scholarships to Stanford. He maintained a zeal for all Stanford sports to the very end. Up until last year, he attended many local football and basketball games as well as the practices. Rixford was accommodated with a close parking space, special access into the stadium, and seating above the press box. Rixford's sense of civic responsibility is evidenced by his many and varied associations. He was President of the Palo Alto Rotary Club, on the board of the Sacramento Railroad Museum, a member of Fraternity Lodge 399 F.& A. M., on the fund-raising committee to convert the old Palo Alto Police and Fire Station to the Avenidas Senior Center, served on the executive board of the Palo Alto Senior Council, and was prominently involved in raising $10,000,000 to restore the Stanford Memorial Church after the Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1992 he received a Lifetime of Achievement Award from the city of Palo Alto. Rixford Kinney Snyder touched the hearts of all who knew him. He combined the remarkable achievement of a great man with deep character and personal warmth over a lifetime of benefit to thousands. The extra years his family and friends spent with him were precious. Rixford has "finish(ed) to begin" a new existence in eternity. He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Elliott Smith Snyder, and his brother, Philip Lester Snyder. Rixford is survived by loving nieces Karine Snyder Lyon of Carmichael and Phyllis Snyder Ebersole of San Jose and their families, close friends, Doug and Darien Walker of Portola Valley, Hartwell Brown of Palo Alto and an extended family of cousins. His family and friends would like to thank Dr. Steven Lane of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, all the staff at Webster House and the very special health providers from Quality Homehealth Services for giving outstanding care and comfort to Rixford during his last weeks. His memoirs can be read at http://www.surfwax.com/RixSnyder/ A memorial service will be held on February 4, 4:00 PM, at the Stanford Memorial Church. Parking has been reserved in the field at the corner of Campus Dr. and Galvez St. Shuttles will be available for transport to and from the church. Allow time for parking. Refer to www.stanford.edu. for a map of the campus. Donations may be made to: The Rixford K. Snyder Scholarship Fund, attn: Eileen Gall, Dept. of Athletics, 641 E. Campus Drive, Stanford University, Stanford CA 94305-6150 or Avenidas Senior Center, 450 Bryant St., Palo Alto, CA 94301 or Lucille Packard Foundation for Children's Health, 400 Hamilton Ave. Ste. 340, Palo Alto, CA 94301, attn: gift processing.