“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…
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.
