From Deseret News archives:
3 Utah colleges mourning the loss of R.J. Snow
Y.'s Samuelson hails him as 'great leader who changed lives'
Reuben Joseph Snow was 68 and preparing to teach his final term as a political science professor this summer before retiring. He held critical positions responsible for sports and student life and played a major role in the political science departments at BYU and the U. Since 2005, Snow had been a member of the Board of Trustees at Dixie State College, where he was a former student.
"Three Utah institutions of higher learning are mourning a great leader," BYU President Cecil Samuelson said. "R.J. changed the lives of generations of students, both in the classroom and through his thoughtful decisions as an administrator . . . He has been a personal friend and colleague for over 30 years with whom I was privileged to serve in both the church and the academy."
At 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, Snow was driving eastbound on 2230 North just before the intersection with Canyon Road when his 1996 Jeep Cherokee suddenly veered left across westbound traffic, Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey said. The vehicle went over the curb and sidewalk and struck a 3-foot high concrete retaining wall without any evidence of braking.
Snow is survived by his wife Marilyn, four children and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Monday in Provo. The location and time have not been determined.
Snow worked at the U. for a dozen years, including a decade spent as both vice president for student and university relations and director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
U. President Michael Young said Snow's influence is felt on the hill more than 20 years after he left.
"It's a gloomy day up here at the university," Young said. "It is a sad day. His legacy is deep and pervasive. He will forever be remembered as an extraordinary man of this university."
Snow joined the U. as a staff assistant to then-President David P. Gardner, who had worked with Snow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Gardner remembered him as remarkable and humble.
"R.J. Snow is not a replaceable part of my life," Gardner said. "Too many shared memories and moments during good and hard times laboring in behalf of the universities we served together. He was not only a double cousin but also a dear friend and close colleague over 40 years. In 1995, he married Sheila and me at our home in Park City. His loss is heavy to bear."
Comments
- Life sentences for juveniles examined 2:20 p.m.
- Matheson may face Dem challenger 2:11 p.m.
- Columbia prof to speak at U. 2:07 p.m.
- Mitchell wants testimony excluded 1:36 p.m.
- Cleveland case expands overseas 1:27 p.m.
- Banks eye tight credit card terms 1:25 p.m.
- Prep girls soccer MVPs named 1:16 p.m.
- Iran accuses hikers of espionage 1:09 p.m.
- Making health care better 1:03 p.m.
- New bishop heads Lufkin LDS Church 1:03 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
244 - House passes health care bill
212 - Lobo suspended
176 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - TCU showdown has big implications
144 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
106 - Provo company innovating engines
105 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
101
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
Well, I AM in his district, and he WON'T be getting my vote this time!
"Utah has fared well against TCU over the years. The Utes are 5-1 all-time...
Everyone needs to stop all the "hate" for PG. Up until this year, these...
Obviously Obama cares more about getting his big government programs in place...
and his office refused to say how he would vote and I was treated very rudely...
I am proud of jim matheson for voting no. People lets face it if the...
Re: Um.. "You are incorrect. There are computers that are immune to...
How refreshing.
Since Coach Whit is the class of the class, I wonder why Bronco didn't...
I am an old man, old enough to remember the wall going up and coming down. I...



You can be the first to comment on this story.