Robert C. Sneed Robert C. Sneed, devoted husband, father, grandfather, lawyer, rancher, and mentor to many, including those in public life, died Sunday. He was 84. He married Anna Tutt of Dallas in 1946, the year he graduated from the University of Texas Law School and joined the Sneed law firm founded by his father in 1926. Sneed had a keen political sense. He recruited, advised, mentored and supported any number of people in public life at all levels of government, from Washington, D.C., to the State Capitol, county courthouse, city hall, and school boards. On his 70th birthday, he was honored by a legislative resolution recognizing his many contributions to state government. A friend to politicians of all political persuasions, he served as Travis County Democratic Party Chairman from 1966 to 1972 where he pioneered the recruitment of women and minorities to seek public office. He was appointed to the Texas School Land Board in 1965. A familiar presence in the halls of the State Capitol and City Hall, all who knew him use the same terms: humor (no one could mistake that cackle of a laugh), honesty, integrity, and sense of fair-play. Born in McKinney, Tex., in 1923, Sneed enrolled in the law school in 1942. His studies were interrupted by World War II. From 1943 to 1945, 1st Lt. Sneed served in the 459th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving as a bombardier on 36 missions, barely escaping catastrophe on several occasions. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross; European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with Two Bronze Stars; the Overseas Service Bar, and a certificate of valor in recognition of courageous service in aerial combat. A partner in the Sneed, Vine and Perry law firm, he was a U.S. Commissioner (now federal magistrate) from 1949-1960, a member of the Travis County and American Bar Associations, and the State Bar of Texas. The Travis County Bar Association named him distinguished lawyer in 1998. Sneed was an expert in zoning, land title, and insurance law and authored major sections of the Insurance Code. He was instrumental in assisting residents of Texas "colonias." He represented the Texas Association of Life Insurance Officials for more than 50 years and the Texas Land Title Association for 34 years. In recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the industry, the Texas Land Title Association created the Robert C. Sneed Texas Land Title Institute, a continuing education program for lawyers and title professionals now in its 18th year. He was also active in the Texas Lawyers' Insurance Exchange. One of his greatest joys was his long-standing involvement as a board member and president of the Austin-Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo (now Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo). Hundreds of Central Texas children benefited from his generosity and guidance. He led the campaign to develop the Heritage Center on Decker Lake. He transformed his beloved Yeager Creek Ranch in Blanco County into a showplace where he raised Simmental cattle. Sneed and Anna were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Austin and, more recently, the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Sneed is survived by his wife, Anna; children Helen Sneed of New York, NY; Jerome Sneed and wife Gaylynn of Austin; John Sneed and wife Vickie of Round Rock; Kaysie Sneed Andrews and husband Bruce of Austin; and grandchildren, Angel Hernandez and husband Nick, Kristen Polansky, Robert Scott Sneed, Sam Andrews, and Katherine Andrews; great grandson Tyler Hernandez and sister, Louise Vine of Austin, her children, Nancy Durling and Harry Robert Vine and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Weed Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 North Lamar Blvd. from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. Following a private family burial service at Johnson City Thursday morning, a memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Austin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, his 85th birthday. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Robert C. Sneed Endowed Scholarship in care of the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo Scholarship Fund, 9100 Decker Lake Road, Austin, Texas 78724, (512) 919-3000. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com
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