Gary David Snider 

Artist and poet Gary David Snider was born in Palo 
Alto on October 23, 1941, and died on February 14, 
2016 in Santa Cruz. Gary lived in Palo Alto and 
Menlo Park for over 50 years before moving his 
home and studio to his property on Fall Creek in 
Felton where Gary lived among redwoods, live oaks 
and Japanese maple trees. 

Sometime in his 30’s, Gary developed three goals: 
to study Jungian psychology, to complete a formal 
education, and to become an artist. In 1975 Gary 
began studying Jung and underwent Jungian 
therapy. In 1997, Gary earned an MFA at San Jose 
State University, where he had received a BA in 1995. With his artwork 
shown in over 40 solo and 50 group exhibitions and included in numerous 
private and public collections, Gary felt he had earned the right to call 
himself an artist. 

Gary also wrote hundreds of beautiful poems (free form, tanka and haiku 
style) that were visual manifestations of his complex, internal state of mind. 
Some of the poems were about women that Gary loved, feared or admired; 
others described his deep connection to nature and the affinity he felt for 
Asian art and philosophy. 

Gary taught art and poetry in elementary schools in Palo Alto, San Jose, 
Santa Clara and Aptos. Gary’s mural projects and workshops encouraged 
children to think of art and poetry as extensions of themselves. 

Gary leaves behind his sister, Linda Sue Liu, his brother-in-law, Michel Liu, 
and Cousins Carole and Bill Massoni. Gary was predeceased by his parents, 
Peter and Delorise Virginia Snider of Palo Alto and his former wife, Dolcie 
Gray. 

Gary had many close friends, these included Sam, Susan, Jody, Jo, Sid, Lon, 
David, Mary, Peter, Lynda, and Reed.

A celebration of life for Gary will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 
September 23, 2016 at the Lucie Stern Community Center. Gary requested, 
in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to the Palo Alto Art Center.