KU is mourning the loss of two current faculty members.

C. Richard "Rick" Snyder, the M. Erik Wright distinguished professor in clinical psychology, 61, died Jan. 18 of cancer.

Steve Ashe, senior curator with the Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Center and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology died Dec. 27 at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., from a stroke.

"Rick Snyder was a living advertisement for his psychology of hope, always engaged and positive. I loved to hear him talk about teaching as he regarded it as an honor to be in the classroom and was always looking for the novel approach to his subject. We will all miss him and feel a tremendous loss. We know from his teaching about hope that after great loss Ôthere will be a valley, and eventually hope can come back.' We look forward to that day.

"Rick has immeasurably enriched this university. On behalf of the entire university family I extend our deepest sympathies to the Snyder family and his many friends and colleagues on this very sad day."

Snyder was internationally known for his work at the interface of clinical, social, personality and health psychology. His theories have pertained to how people react to personal feedback, the human need for uniqueness, the ubiquitous drive to excuse transgressions and, most recently, the hope motive.

Hemenway also spoke respectfully about Ashe.

"This is a sad time for the university as we mourn the sudden loss of Steve Ashe. He had earned the highest respect as a researcher, and his students were blessed to have benefited from his scholarship and experience. On behalf of the entire KU community, I express my deepest sympathies to Steve's family and friends."

Leonard Krishtalka, director of the Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Center, also expressed his respect for Ashe.

"The Biodiversity Center is in shock over Steve's passing. He was, above all, a wonderful human being. He was a devoted father and husband, and he was a brilliant scholar and teacher. Steve was a passionate steward of the life of the planet. We will miss him immensely."