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
October 29, 2007 at 2:37 am |
hello I was his grand daughter I went to visit him when he lived in ny and providence RI and then he also lived down the street from my brother kris
he was funny
when scott moved him to CA I went to visit him at mission bay convalescent hospital
kim
October 29, 2007 at 9:22 am |
Richard Snibbe was my father-in-law. When I met Dick 18 years ago it was evident that he was a man of great passion. His enthusiasm for his chosen profession of architecture put amazement and fascination on his face whenever he discussed his past or current projects. It was highly seductive to be totally engaged by his vast knowledge and understanding. After conversations with Dick, I never looked at buildings quite the same. Thanks to him, they became structures of great mystery and awe. For this I will always be grateful. He inspired my heart to open more fully to my surroundings and the wonders held there.
Seeing Dick in his final years touched me deeply. He seemed to have found a sincere peace. Once on a family outing he overheard some young people laughing, smiled broadly and said, “The laughter is God. You know, everything is God” His smile grew even broader as the thought of it seemed to please him so. This was a remarkable moment for me to witness. When I first met Dick he was an avowed atheist. His smile told me that night and comforts me now that Dick had found home.