Richard W. Snyder, Renowned Business Leader and Philanthropist, Dies July 9 in Dallas, TX

DALLAS, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard W. "Dick" Snyder, 75, of Dallas died July 9 at Medical City after a short illness. He passed peacefully, in the arms of his family.

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Dick, as he was called by everyone who knew him, was born April 12, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Leonard Snyder and Agnes "Billie" Grittinger Snyder. He grew up in the Midwest and graduated from North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, earning all-state honors as fullback and linebacker for the football team in which he also served as a captain. He began his collegiate career at Florida State University where he played football, and in 1960, he earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, the same school which 30 years later would honor him as Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year. In 1964, he earned an MBA from the University of Detroit, in finance and international marketing.

Among his many career achievements, Mr. Snyder is best known for founding SnyderGeneral Corporation in 1982. Under his leadership, SnyderGeneral became the world's largest privately-held manufacturer of heating, ventilating, air conditioning (HVAC) and filtration equipment, products and services. Through organic growth and acquisitions, SnyderGeneral grew from a consolidation of regionally-focused firms into a global industry giant with $1 billion in annual sales.

One of the most visible leaders in the HVAC industry, Mr. Snyder was the former chairman of the board of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a past member of the board of directors of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GMA), and a member of the American Business Conference (ABC), among many others.

Besides his many corporate accomplishments, Mr. Snyder was dedicated to public service. He was appointed in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and again in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy Negotiations, an advisory body for U.S. trade policy and negotiations. In 1991, he was appointed to the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) Task Force, serving under director Carla A. Hills. In 1992, he was named by Secretary of Commerce Robert Mosbacher to the Federal Advisory Committee on the EC Common Approach to Standards Testing and Certification.

In 1994, SnyderGeneral was purchased by Hong Leong Group of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Shortly after the sale, Mr. Snyder founded and became Chairman and CEO of SnyderCapital, a privately-held investment firm specializing in equity investments for mid-sized operating companies.

In his later years, he turned his skill and love of business into an equally strong passion for charitable causes and non-profit investment, and established the Snyder Foundation to support public projects, children's education, animal welfare and medical research. To commemorate their 50^th wedding anniversary, Dick and his wife, Bobbi, developed and financed Snyder's Union, a scenic observation point that overlooks Lee Park from the Katy Trail's half-way point. His legacy also includes the Snyder Athletic Center for St. Phillips School and Community Center, and a myriad of major projects and underwriting for the SPCA of Texas and Straydog Inc., Ursuline Academy, St. Rita's, Jesuit, the Hi-Line project in NYC,  Dallas Summer Musicals, Arthritis Foundation of Texas, UT Southwestern Medical Center, the American Heart Association, and many other causes.

Mr. Snyder is survived by his wife of 53 years, Roberta "Bobbi" Snyder; his brother, Leonard Snyder Jr. and wife, Beulah, of Fort Wayne Indiana; two sons, Dr. Richard Snyder II and his wife, Dr. Shelley Hall-Snyder; Robert L Snyder and wife, Ana; and one daughter, Stacey Verbeek and her husband, Arnie, all of Dallas. Other survivors include 10 grandchildren, and his extended family members, Benjamin Humphrey, Maria de Paz and Rusty and Tammy Wooten.

Memorial services for Mr. Snyder have not been announced, but the Snyder family plans to hold a celebration of his life later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored with your support of one of Dick's favorites: The Friends of the Katy Trail, St. Philips School and Community Center, SPCA of Texas and Straydog, Inc. 

SOURCE Snyder Capital Corporation