Cecil Robert Schwalbe

“The Snakeman”

1942 – 2022

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,  for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

~ Helen Keller

 

Click the red “Play” button to begin streaming Cecil’s celebration of life…

The Legend of the Snakeman: The stories from some of those who knew and love him.
To our beloved Snakeman.

Arizona Daily Star on Cecil: Snakes, frogs and science students had a friend in Schwalbe

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

Hopi Prayer

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there, I did not die.

—Mary Elizabeth Frye

American poet (1904–2004)


REMEMBERING “THE SNAKEMAN” CECIL R. SCHWALBE

Video tribute: Remembering the Snakeman, Alan Davis

Welcome, Brent Sigafus

Speakers 

Magical childhood, Adam Schwalbe

“The Bobbsey Twins,” Bud Lindstedt

Arizona Game & Fish, Randy Babb

U.S. Geological Survey, Todd Esque

Schwalbe students, Roy Averill-Murray, Dale Turner

Video: The Snakeman, John de Dios

Tucson Herpetological Society, Robert Villa

Remembering a friend, Gene Hall, Richard Wood

Journalism friend, Susan Swanberg

Institute of Desert Ecology, Carl Olson

Stories from the audience

Video: Family Man, John de Dios

Family, Ethan Schwalbe, Carol Schwalbe

Cold-Blooded Research Award

Closing words, Brent Sigafus

Farewell video: The Legend of the Snakeman, Julian Ybarra


SPECIAL THANKS GO TO THE FOLLOWING FRIENDS:

MASTER OF CEREMONIES:  BRENT SIGAFUS

VIDEOS & WEBSITE: 

ALAN DAVIS, JOHN DE DIOS, JULIAN YBARRA

PLANNERS: 

RANDY BABB, MARTHA CASTLEBERRY, DEBBIE CROSS, CRISTINA JONES, MIKE MCKISSON, CAROL SCHWALBE, ETHAN SCHWALBE, BRENT SIGAFUS

GREETERS:

NANETTE ALVAREZ, RANDY BABB, TAYLOR EDWARDS, CANDY HOLOD, ANDY HOLYCROSS, CRISTINA JONES,  BUD LINDSTEDT, JEANNINE RELLY, JEFF SEMINOFF, HANS SEYFFERT

PROGRAM: 

JOHN DE DIOS

FLOWERS: 

ADRIAN QUIJADA, JEANNINE RELLY, HANS SEYFFERT 

DIGITAL FRAME: 

SUSAN SWANBERG, RICHARD WOOD

SNAKE BAGS: 

JODYLEE DUEK, JACK SELLECK, SHANE SELLECK, STEVE UYEDA

HANDMADE “HISSAKS”: 

RUTH BITTIG

Donations to Cold-Blooded Research Fund

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Cecil to the Cold-Blooded Research Fund in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment: https://give.uafoundation.org/cecilschwalbe. In keeping with Cecil’s profession and passion, the annual payout from this endowed fund will support research awards for undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty members who are studying amphibians, reptiles or fish in SNRE.

Bookmark this page or join the Facebook Group if you would like to watch all of the tribute videos and other content that have been created in memory of our beloved Snakeman, Cecil Schwalbe.