Memorial Service Saturday Nov 3

The last few days have been filled with kind words from Grandpa’s friends and relatives. Today would have been Dick’s ninety-first birthday. Some people are sending birthday greetings and finding out for the first time about his passing.

We have organized the San Francisco memorial service this Saturday, November 3 at:

Tse Chen Ling Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies
399 Webster Street, San Francisco 94117
(415) 621-4215

3pm-4pm: Memorial Service
4pm-5pm: Reception

Both events are open to the public. If possible, please RSVP to scott@snibbe.com if you are coming so that we can prepare enough seating and refreshments. My brother Kris and I will be giving eulogies to Grandpa. Everyone who is there will also have an opportunity to share their memories of Richard. Please prepare some brief words or recall your favorite stories about grandpa if you like. We also have a few interesting surprises planned.

On Sunday, November 4 at 5pm we will be holding a Medicine Buddha Puja at Tse Chen Ling, which is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual to create conditions for a peaceful transition to his next state. All are welcome to this event too. Be prepared to chant for at least an hour!

grandpa’s birthday 2005

Richard Snibbe died October 28, 2007

Today my grandfather Richard Snibbe died in San Francisco. Ahna answered our phone at 8:15 this morning and quickly came to get me. The nursing home said that grandpa had died of cardiac arrest suddenly while eating his breakfast. We drove quickly over to the Mission Bay Convalescent Hospital and we sat peacefully with him for two hours while we filled the room with love for him and said some prayers.

The day before, on Saturday, we had planned to take him out for a lobster dinner to celebrate his ninety-first birthday which was coming up on October 31. When we arrived at four, he was all dressed up and excited, filled with loving words, exclaiming “I love you!” to both Ahna and I and squeezing our hands. But when we tried to take him to the car, he insisted “I’m not getting in that elevator” and nothing we said could convince him, even when I told him we were getting lobster. We eventually went back to his room and he lay down, holding my hand and quickly falling asleep.

He lived a beautiful life here in San Francisco for the last three years. I’ve been able to see him at least once a week and we’ve been out to twenty or so lobster dinners together! Every time I saw him he was filled with love and enthusiasm and made my life wonderful. The staff at the nursing home adored him and treated him with alternating tenderness and teasing.

I’ve just set up this blog and will be posting more information about Grandpa’s life and his planned memorial services. Feel free to post comments and share your thoughts and memories about Richard.

With Love,

Scott Snibbe

Grandpa with Kris and Scott

027_kris_bon_visit, originally uploaded by snibbe.

Three Generations of Snibbes

paul_gp_visit_20, originally uploaded by snibbe.

Richard Snibbe 1990s

granpa younger, originally uploaded by snibbe.

Richard Snibbe 1950s

grandpa_50s, originally uploaded by snibbe.

Richard Snibbe 1950s

Richard Snibbe 1970s

grandpa_70s, originally uploaded by snibbe.