Arthur Snyder ’40, a Board Member from 1978 to 1981, died Dec. 30, 2010, at age 92. Born in Swarthmore, he came from a long line of Swarthmoreans, including a great-grandmother, Lydia Hall, (not an alumna), who served on the Board of Managers for 26 years; grandparents from the Class of 1878; parents from the Class of 1917; and a twin brother, Paul ’40. Son Thomas ’72 and granddaughter Daisy Schmitt ’12 round out the six generations so far to attend the College.

Snyder spent five and a half years in the Navy as an engineering officer on troop transports during World War II. His lifelong love of sailing led him to pen Knots & Lines Illustrated with brother Paul in 1967.

After earning an MBA at Northwestern University in 1960, Snyder began a long, successful career in banking and venture capital. He led several banks and was honored by many industry groups. In 2009 he wrote Generalizations of a Banker, a collection of insights designed to give useful guidelines on business and banking. He pioneered the practice of bankers actively working to help their customers be successful.

In addition to serving on the Alumni Council and the Board, Snyder devoted himself to supporting the College in several ways. The former Hall Gymnasium was named for his family—a plaque marking its location can be found on the south side of the Lang Performing Arts Center. Shortly before his death, his brother Paul ’40 made gifts to support the Hall Hospitality Center in the Lamb-Miller Field House to honor his family’s Swarthmore roots.