Dick Snider
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Snider Sr. (March 20, 1921 - November 20, 2004) was an American
newspaper columnist, oil executive, television producer, and founder of NCAA Films (now called NCAA Productions). He is most widely known for his humor column in the Topeka Capital-Journal, and he was campaign manager for former University of Oklahoma
football coach Bud Wilkinson
's failed 1964 US Senate campaign. He later joked that "We were never ahead despite Bud having 95 percent name recognition in the state. Man, I could make people forget Santa Claus
."
, where his father, Daniel William Snider, owned a pharmacy. As a young boy, he and his family were forced to leave Oakwood by the Ku Klux Klan
, who burned a cross on their lawn for being Roman Catholic. He attended St. Gregory's High School in Shawnee, OK, and went on to study at Oklahoma State University and Columbus School of Law
. After briefly working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
, he served in the United States Navy
during World War II teaching aircraft mechanics.
as administrator of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
.
From there, he founded NCAA films, where he produced the television show "College Football," the first Sunday morning show to nationally broadcast college football highlights. With his background in communications, he was then hired to be Vice President of Communications for Vickers Oil in Wichita, Kansas
. He retired in 1985, returning to the newspaper business to write a thrice-weekly column for the Topeka Capital-Journal for the next seventeen years. His column became well-known for its cynical humor. Though usually aimed at people in power, his comical attacks were often directed at friends, family, and himself. In 2002, the column was picked up by the Metro News, where he wrote until his death in 2004.
. Because of his popular mockery of Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church
, the church picketed his funeral. He was survived by his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
newspaper columnist, oil executive, television producer, and founder of NCAA Films (now called NCAA Productions). He is most widely known for his humor column in the Topeka Capital-Journal, and he was campaign manager for former University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
football coach Bud Wilkinson
Bud Wilkinson
Charles Burnham "Bud" Wilkinson was an American football player, coach, broadcaster, and politician. He served as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1947 to 1963, compiling a record of 145–29–4. His Oklahoma Sooners won three national championships and 14...
's failed 1964 US Senate campaign. He later joked that "We were never ahead despite Bud having 95 percent name recognition in the state. Man, I could make people forget Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
."
Early life
Snider was born on March 20, 1921 in Oakwood, OklahomaOakwood, Oklahoma
Oakwood is a town in Dewey County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Oakwood is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
, where his father, Daniel William Snider, owned a pharmacy. As a young boy, he and his family were forced to leave Oakwood by the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
, who burned a cross on their lawn for being Roman Catholic. He attended St. Gregory's High School in Shawnee, OK, and went on to study at Oklahoma State University and Columbus School of Law
Columbus School of Law
The Columbus School of Law, also known as CUA Law, is the law school of The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C..Over 900 Juris Doctor students attend CUA Law. Incoming classes are typically composed of two to three hundred students, including day and night programs. Around 3,500...
. After briefly working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
, he served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II teaching aircraft mechanics.
Career
Snider held a variety of jobs throughout his life, working in journalism, politics, sports, and the oil industry. He got his start in journalism in the 1950s as a sports editor for the Topeka Capital-Journal. After being promoted to managing editor, he went on to work for president John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
as administrator of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition , is an American government organization that aims to "promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport"...
.
From there, he founded NCAA films, where he produced the television show "College Football," the first Sunday morning show to nationally broadcast college football highlights. With his background in communications, he was then hired to be Vice President of Communications for Vickers Oil in Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. He retired in 1985, returning to the newspaper business to write a thrice-weekly column for the Topeka Capital-Journal for the next seventeen years. His column became well-known for its cynical humor. Though usually aimed at people in power, his comical attacks were often directed at friends, family, and himself. In 2002, the column was picked up by the Metro News, where he wrote until his death in 2004.
Death
Snider died of cancer on November 20, 2004 at his home in Topeka, KansasTopeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
. Because of his popular mockery of Topeka-based Westboro Baptist Church
Westboro Baptist Church
The Westboro Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church known for its extreme stance against homosexuality and its protest activities, which include picketing funerals and desecrating the American flag. The church is widely described as a hate group and is monitored as such by the...
, the church picketed his funeral. He was survived by his wife, five children, and nine grandchildren.