Richard Samuel Snyder Ph.D

Richard Samuel Snyder, Ph.D., age 81, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on May 22, 2025.
Born on January 30, 1944, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, Richard was the son of Alice Elizabeth McCoun Snyder and Robert Glenn Snyder. A gifted scholar and deeply curious thinker, Richard pursued a lifelong commitment to learning, teaching, and public service.
He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Indiana University in Bloomington, specializing in labor economics, econometrics, and statistical analysis. His doctoral research focused on the intersection of public policy and labor force participation. He also held a master's degree in economics from Indiana State University and bachelor's degrees in economics and statistics from Indiana University.
Over the span of his career, Richard contributed to economic research, education, and policy development. He served as a Senior Economist with Florida's Department of Economic Opportunity, where he worked for 15 years in the Bureau of Labor Market Statistics on minimum wage calculations and forecasting until retirement. Prior, Richard taught economics for 30 years at Northern Kentucky University and the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. His academic contributions included directing research centers, serving on editorial boards, and mentoring countless students and colleagues.
His public service extended into policy advising the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati region, where he consulted on economic development, taxation, and labor market trends. He also collaborated internationally, including work with economic development initiatives in Russia.
Beyond his professional life, Richard was a man of humor, introspection, and depth. He was known for his sharp wit, love of philosophy, admiration for the Rolling Stones, unwavering convictions, and deep generosity for friends, family, and strangers in need.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Margaret Snyder Laird (and granddaughters Lauren Elizabeth and Abigail Grace) and Sarah Carrington Kingdom (and granddaughters Riley Best and Remi Waters); his sons, Dariush Snyder and Kamron Snyder; his loving sister, Elizabeth Snyder; niece Pauline Moody and husband, Duane Moody; nephew BJ Hoskins and wife, Lisa Hoskins; nieces Crystal Ricker and Robin Hoskins. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Snyder; half-brother, Jack Snyder; half-sister, Iris Snyder; nieces, Margaret Alice Hutchens and Cathryn Hoskins Barber; nephews, Richard Hoskins and Edward Hoskins; and parents, Alice and Glenn.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in Danville, Indiana, at the Danville South Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association in his honor. Baker Funeral Home, Danville, is handling the local arrangements.
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