Robert Snyder

Robert Edward Snyder Wenatchee, WA Robert Edward Snyder, 94, born May 30, 1921, to Ethel Florence Snyder and Albert Snyder, entered into God's arms June 19, 2015. He grew up in Wenatchee, attending local schools, lettering in basketball and football. He went onto Wenatchee Valley College for a year, lettering in basketball, along with his brother, Al. He also studied flying, which earned him a scholarship to further study aircraft and flying out of SeaTac in Seattle. He came back to Wenatchee and studied more flying and taking more lessons, passing his flying exam to formally become a certified cadet. At that time, he was officially sworn in to the U.S. Air Force as a cadet. In the service off time, he injured his back playing football, but went on to graduate from the Hancock School of Aeronautics and then off to Minner's Field in Bakersfield, CA, to attend and pass the advanced school of aeronomics. Once again, he injured his back, rupturing more vertebrae and was then hospitalized. He was soon transferred back East to Lawson General, where he underwent two back surgeries and hospitalized for almost two years, and then honorably discharged. He then moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, graduating in 1947, with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting. He moved back to Wenatchee, where he was employed by Sherwin Williams Ag Business -after a few years, he transferred to their main headquarters in Boise, ID. Sherwin Williams went out of business one and a half years later, so back to Wenatchee he came, going to work for three years at H.R. Spinner Co. as a fruit salesman, covering the Columbia Basin area. In 1953, he and his two brothers, John and Gene, bought out C&O Fruit Tree and Landscaping Co. from their dad and Uncle Gossman and became owners. He spent many a business trip flying to and from different destinations. When he was ready to be picked up, he would do a fly-by, tipping his wings over the house and our mom would know to head to the airport to give him a ride home. And, speaking of mom, they met at Lake Chelan in 1952. They ran into each other again at Lake Chelan in approximately 1954, and married in January of 1955. They raised three children and celebrated their Golden Anniversary in January of 2005. Dad received many awards in his lifetime, which he was so humble to accept, including being record holder of blood donations from the Red Cross; President of the Washington Nursery Association; President of the Chelan and Douglas Counties Farm Bureaus; nine years on Wenatchee Parks Board; October 14, 2011 he was awarded the 70 year award on Knights of Columbus; 1995 the Lehman Johnson Award; 2008 the Distinguished Alumni Award from Wenatchee High School; 1991 Chancellor of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and Applarians; 1993 Director General of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and Applarians; Rotary and so many more. He became more devoted and involved with the Applarians after retirement. He enjoyed that organization immensely, almost right up until the very end. They traveled and had so much fun. Dad and mom found time in their crazy schedules to travel around the world to various places, such as Las Vegas, New Zealand, Hawaii, England, Mexico, Greece, Italy, China, Tahiti, Germany, Australia, South America and the Panama Canal. Hi hobbies (besides Applarians) included his Cadillacs, golf, fishing, boats and boating on Lake Chelan. I do believe his greatest hobby was his grandchildren and trying to attend their many sports events. Family and faith always came first in Dad's life. He was a very devote catholic of St. Joseph's Catholic Church for 94 years. There were so many dear people in dad's life, including the following: his best friend and like a brother, Jim Telford; our neighbors for many years, Pat and Leo Sax; Tressie and Arden Zimmerman; Drs. Rita Shu and her husband, Eric Thorson; and one very special companion, his Claire. Preceding him in death were his parents, one sister, and three brothers. He leaves behind daughter, Theresa (Larry) Snyder O'Brian of Quincy, WA; two sons, Brian (Tami) Snyder of Wenatchee, and Jim (Nancy) Snyder of Wenatchee; one sister, Margaret Sampon of Wenatchee; grandchildren, Jason and Miy Yong O'Brian of Seattle, Garret Snyder of Wenatchee, Michelle Snyder of Alexandria, VA, and Colin Snyder of Wenatchee; and great-granddaughters, Mila and Neoki O'Brian of Seattle. At this time we'd like to thank some special people and organizations. All the wonderful doctors and nurses from Idaho to Wenatchee, especially Dr. Brian Derrick and staff. The Applarians, and Rhonda and her employees for their great loving care at Blossom Valley in Wenatchee. Dad has such a very kind and loving soul and spirit. He was never unhappy or angry and had this little chuckle in every conversation he had with someone. Never an enemy. We are all so blessed to have known him, this many who found so much strength in faith and held on to hope with both hands and gave love freely with all his heart. He handed down to us such important values, but impressively did this just by living what he believed. To know him was to love him. God bless you, Dad, you are finally at peace! A Memorial Mass with Military Honors will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. Services will conclude at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would kindly be appreciated to Cancer Care of NCW, 1708 Castlerock Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Arrangements by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Robert Snyder

May 30, 1921 - June 19, 2015