Past News

Dredging Underway

Stonington Sailor Readies For Atlantic Solo Race

Mr. Snyder, Concordias & Dodson Boatyard

DBY Brokerage Assists in trans-continental Purchase of 1993 Hinckley Sou’Wester 51

Robert Jenkins Snyder Sr passes away Oct. 4, 2004

Changes at Dodson Boatyard

The Boatyard undergoes a range of capital improvements

The Backward Burgee

Yard News & Photos

Robert Jenkins Snyder Sr. died peacefully at home on Oct. 4, 2004, in Stonington.

He was born on March 30, 1925, in New York City. He attended The Harvey School and graduated from Taft School. He went on to Williams College, graduated from the Cornell University V12 Program and served as a naval officer in World War II. After the war, Bob returned to work for Bethlehem Steel in their Loop Program. He was a partner with the firm of Ingalis & Snyder in New York City for many years, until he decided to pursue his lifelong passion of ‘... simply messing around with boats.' Dodson Boat Yard, the marina he purchased in 1980 with two of his sons, Matthew and Robert Jr., has been widely recognized as one of the leading boatyards in the Northeast over the past 24 years.

His many interests included journalism, storytelling, bicycling and prestidigitation. A longtime resident of Stonington, Robert was an active member in parish life at Calvary Episcopal Church, having served on the vestry and the music committee. He was a member of the hand-bell choir and enjoyed being a lay reader and chalice bearer. Bob was a burgess, a volunteer fireman, and also served on the board of the Village Improvement Association and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

A longtime member and trustee of the American Yacht Club in Rye, N.Y., he was also a member of the New York Yacht Club, the Wadawanuck Club and the newly formed Stonington Harbor Yacht Club and East Haddam Fish & Game Club.

Robert is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Martha Templeton Perry; his daughter, Anne; his three sons, Matthew, Robert Jr., and Peter; their spouses Amy Grier Cochrane, Marne Giffen Snyder and Paul Damian Ellithorpe. There are also four grandchildren, Edie, Henry, Marjorie and Charles, and two brothers, John T. and William B.J. Snyder.

The funeral service was held at Calvary Church in the Borough of Stonington on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m. The family requests that contributions be sent to Calvary Church, Calvary Music School, Stonington Village Improvement Association or the Stonington Free Library.

Mr. Snyder Remembrance
10/7/04

I speak this morning on behalf of all of us who have had the pleasure to have worked for and with Mr. Snyder at Dodson Boatyard.

To begin with, simply put, we are better for having known him.

When Martha asked me to make a few comments about Mr. Snyder, I thought it appropriate to solicit some thoughts of some of the guys in the yard that knew him over the years, and you know what? The same words, the same adjectives kept being used –
kind, gracious, unfailingly polite, considerate, empathetic, concerned with you, “A great dude”.

He was a man of great style, a businessman, a yachtsman, but above all a gentleman.

He was a model of demeanor, thoughtfulness and fairness. Indeed, if there was ever a contested charge or customer complaint, his sincere, predictable request was to simply ask to “Pay what you think is fair”.

He was a mentor to many, especially the young people who worked the docks at Dodson's – the ones that were the first to represent the Boatyard. Next to tying up a boat safely, they were told by Mr. Snyder that courteousness was paramount.

He was an inspiration, as a champion of the importance of persistence and determination. Posted at different places in the Boatyard is the Snyder family motto:
“ Non Reveter Invitus” or “Never Dream of Defeat”
followed by the following encouraging words:

Press on-
Nothing in the world can
take the place of
persistence. Talent will not:
Nothing is more common
than unsuccessful men
with talent. Genius will
not; unrewarded genius
is almost a proverb.
Education alone will not;
The world is
full of educated
derelicts. Persistence and
determination
alone are omnipotent.

He was also a yardstick of quality. He was a leader that not only did things right, but did the right thing.

It is said that a man can never demand the respect of others, that respect is something that is earned and given freely, Mr. Snyder was widely and deeply respected.

He was everyone's father, everyone's grandfather, everyone's friend.

Finally, I would like to read a brief passage from the writings of James Hilton:

"In the morning of my life I shall look to the sunrise
at the moment of my life when the day is due
and the question I shall ask only God can answer
Will I be brave and strong and true?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life I shall look to the sunset
at the moment of my life when the dark is due
and the questions I shall ask only I can answer…….
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through…..?”

As I look at this gathering of family and friends, the answer to this last question is clearly yes, yes you did fill your world with love…….

Goodbye, Mr. Snyder