Richard A. Snelling

Snelling was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on February 18, 1927, the son of chemist Walter O. Snelling and Helen Marjorie Gahring. He was educated in Allentown public schools and graduated from Allentown High School in 1944, completing the requirements six months ahead of his classmates as part of an accelerated program for young men intending to enter the military during World War II. During his high school years, Snelling was a member of the National Honor Society, and the school's track and field, swimming, and wrestling teams. After graduating from Allentown High School, Snelling briefly attended the University of Havana in Havana, Cuba, and then Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, before transferring to Harvard University. At Lehigh, Snelling played on the Lehigh University football and wrestling teams. While at Harvard, Snelling was on the dean's list, played on the varsity football team, was president of the Harvard Conservative League, and taught swimming and aquatic safety. ==Career==

Military service In October 1944, Snelling enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps Reserve. He attained the rank of technician fifth grade and was discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey in October 1946. He then returned to Harvard, where he received a bachelor's degree in government and economics in 1948. For several years after moving to Vermont, Snelling was active in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary where he served as an officer. In 1956, Snelling was elected vice commander of Burlington Flotilla 802, and was appointed as the flotilla's inspector of facilities. In 1972, he was again elected to the Vermont House, and he served from 1973 to 1977. During his final term, Snelling was the House's majority leader. Governorship In the 1976 Vermont gubernatorial election, Snelling was elected governor. He was re-elected three times, in 1978, 1980, and 1982, and served until January 1985. In addition, he sailed frequently on a yacht he purchased after leaving the governorship. The Vermont General Assembly responded to Snelling's initiative by negotiating and enacting the largest tax increase in Vermont's history, more than $90 million, while also imposing deep cuts in state programs. ==Personal life==

On June 14, 1947, at age 20, he married 19-year-old Barbara Weil. They had four children, Jacqueline, Mark, Andrew, and Diane. His daughter Diane B. Snelling served in the Vermont Senate after being appointed to succeed her mother in 2002. She resigned in 2016 to accept appointment as head of the Vermont Natural Resources Board. Snelling's son Mark was an unsuccessful candidate for the 2010 Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. ==Death and legacy==

Snelling died of a heart attack at his home in Shelburne, Vermont on August 13, 1991. He was succeeded by Howard Dean. Snelling was interred at Shelburne Village Cemetery. The Snelling Center for Government at the University of Vermont was named in honor of Richard and Barbara Snelling. ==References==