December 1, 1944 - March, 19, 2009
William Frederick James "Rick" or “Bill” Snyder, age 64, died Thursday, March 19, 2009, at his home on Lake Dunmore.
Mr. Snyder was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 1, 1944. He was the son of Herbert and Hermina (Dick) Snyder. He graduated from Ithaca High School, class of 1962. He received a Masters in Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University, class of 1968. In his early career he worked for Boeing in Huntsville, Alabama. He later joined Computer Sciences Corporation in Paramus, New Jersey and moved on to Composition Systems Inc. of Elmsford, NY. For the past 25 years he was a self-employed computer software engineer with Toys R Us as his primary client. He and his wife retired to Lake Dunmore in 2007, where his family had summered since 1925. For 33 years prior to his retirement, he resided in Mahwah, NJ. He was an avid Cornell University athletics fan who also loved swimming and sailing on Lake Dunmore. He served on the Board of Directors for the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association.
Surviving is his wife, Diane, who he married in Brandon on June 25, 1972. He is also survived by three daughters Carrie Snyder of NYC, Robin Vlamis (Giorgios) of Morristown, NJ, and Margaret Sparrow (Geoffrey) of Raymond, ME; a sister Judith Lodder of Trumansburg, NY and brother Randall Snyder of Hillsboro, NH. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family also survive him. He was predeceased by siblings Jane Baumgartner, Sara Ostergren and Herbert Snyder.
Memorial gifts may be made in his memory to: Cornell University, www.giving.cornell.edu, or The Parkinson's Unity Walk (for his friend Gene Coggshall) www.unitywalk.org, or to The Brandon Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733 or to the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association, PO Box 14, Salisbury, VT 05769.
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I set up this blog for my Dad as a Christmas present so that he could share all the things he loved about life with his family and friends. Please feel free to use this post as a Guestbook for my father.
13 comments:
Dear Dad,
We love you and miss you so much.
Love,
Carrie
Bill ( I always called him Dr. Bill) was a dear friend & mentor to me. I met him in 1977 when I started working at Toys R Us . We spent lots of time together and shared many fun and interesting moments. Dr. Bill could always make me laugh, he will remain in my thoughts and prayers..
He was very proud of his family and always spoke lovingly of them.
Bill,
I never had the opportunity to meet you, but I certainly know what an amazing man you are. You raised an amazing woman in your daughter Carrie. Your legacy lives on through her, and she will continue to make you proud.
Rest in peace.
Mr. Synder, I have been a long time friend of your daughter Carrie and she is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met. So for that alone, I'm sure you were proud and will continuing being proud as you look down on her. I personally never met you, but have heard a great deal about you and her entire family. Whom she loves a great deal. Also, I did not realize that you and Carrie have the same kind eyes. Which will be her daily tribute to you for the rest of her life. Rest in Peace.
Rob Clark
Mr. Snyder,
Thank you for all those trips to Vermont. You could drive those back roads like on one else. You were always very welcoming whether it was in Mahwah or Vermont. Thank you for being a wonder father to one of my closest friends. You will be very missed by all the different lives you have touched.
Julie Long
Having worked with Bill for more then 10 years, he made a lasting impression on me. He was a man with an incredible mind, that was also very down to earth, yet showed great passion in topics ranging from the Reds to Reagan (against of course). We often would spend a few moments a day talking about family, the camp, XC Skiing or NPR. He will be truly missed.
Harvey Crowder
My family moved to Mahwah, NJ, in the spring of 1972. At some point in the mid 70s we became aware of the Snyder family probably through the school system as both families were active in the PTA and the school board. Over the years we became close and shared celebrations of various holidays during the year. An especially enjoyable one was our annual cookout at Ringwood State Park where, on occasion, we were joined by gun toting park rangers interested in our liquor supply. On 2/26/09 my wife, Lowry, died suddenly. Rick and Diane were so solicitous of me. Diane was the first person to come to my house. We had dinner together often and as I was now living alone it meant a great deal to me. This continued until they moved to Vermont last year.
Rick's death is a devastating loss to me. He was one of those rare people who knew how to listen. He was genuinely curious and wanted to understand. I always had a sense of mutuality with him. Maybe it was because we shared a similar political and social outlook on life. I will miss this dear friend. I weep now as I write these words for I will never get to see him and speak with him again. A conversation interrupted and unfinished as someone has said. I regret that I will not be able to attend tomorrow's celebration. I wanted to let him know that I forgive Cornell for bullying Columbia all the time. Goodbye, my friend. Robb
As the unofficial 4th Snyder sister, I have had many great times with the Snyders for over twenty years. As I grew up I came to truly appreciate how intelligent Mr. Snyder was and how much he cared for his family. Meg, Robin and Carrie have inherited some of his greatest qualities. His intelligence, humor and kindness will continue through each of them.
And the next time I head up to Vermont with a Terrino's sub in my lap- I will be thinking of Mr. Snyder!
On the few opportunities I had to spend time with Mr. Snyder over the years, it was obvious why Robin and her family were so close with him. He was very interesting to talk with and seemed to enjoy life in a way that must have been contagious to those surrounding him.
I'd like to send my family's condolences and let you know that you are in our thoughts.
With love,
Colby Muscarelle
April 07, 2009
I met Bill in the 1990's working for Toys R Us in Paramus. He was a great resource for the company and all of us he worked with. We had the Cincinnati Reds in common and would talk about them every spring and summer. I also remember several regular after hours meetings over drinks and a good debate about any topic you could imagine. He was a good and kind man and he is missed already.
~
Paul Draeger,
Dover, New Jersey
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March 27, 2009
I first met Rick when we began to dive to pull milfoil from the lake. He was always a bright spot in the day, totally reliable, modest, and dedicated. I'll miss his good cheer and enthusiasm. My condolences to the family.
~
Karen Rockow,
Lake Dunmore, Vermont
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March 26, 2009
I am from Toys R Us and I have worked with Bill for 20+ years. He was a mentor to me when I started my career at Toys. He was well liked and well respected. I will always remember Bill.
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Jim Serpa,
Montvale, New Jersey
March 25, 2009
Dede and Family
Trips up Mooslamoo, sailing on the lake, family bar-b-q’s; these are some cherished memories I have of Rick. He is such a generous caring person he will be missed by many. Rick had a way of warming a room by just walking into it.
We feel for you all in your time of loss. Know that our thoughts are with you and we wish you well. Rick’s passing has left a huge hole and we miss him.
Scott, Diane, Zach and Nick
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The Lodders,
Cary, North Carolina
March 24, 2009
I was lucky enough to work with Bill for over 10 years. He had more joie de vivre than anyone I've ever met and it was infectious. Whether he was joining in an impromptu volleyball game on the Montvale court or playing touch football in the pouring rain after work because the game had been planned weeks in advance(even though several of his younger colleagues headed straight to the bar because they didn't want to get wet), or just joining in a lively debate over the latest car talk puzzle(goats behind the curtains, anyone?) he threw himself whole-heartedly into anything he put his mind to. He made coming to work each day a pleasure. He worked hard and never craved recognition and was very loyal to his friends. Bill was very proud of his family and spoke of them often. I will miss him terribly but I'm thankful for all the happy memories I gathered in the short time I knew him.
~
Laura Kass,
Cranford, New Jersey
March 23, 2009
I worked with Bill for many years, although no words can really help to ease the loss, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
~
Helen Averett,
Wayne, New Jersey
March 23, 2009
Dear Diane and Family,
I am very sorry for this terrible loss. I worked with Bill for nearly 14 years, and he was always a source of insight, encouragement, and good cheer. Although he is gone way too soon, the memories of the wonderful way he related to others will shine on forever.
Al Shelinsky
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Al Shelinsky,
North Woodmere, New York
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March 23, 2009
I started working near Bill in 1988 at Toys R Us. Later, I had the chance -- the honor -- to work with him, a total of almost 20 years. Despite his being younger than I, he taught this hard-headed me an incredible amount about professionalism and about humanity. To repeat something I had the good fortune to be able to tell him once, he was one of the reasons I'm proud my daughter is also a Cornellian.
My sincere condolences to Diane, their daughters, his family and friends. We are all fortunate to have known him and to have memories of him.
~
Allen Jacowitz,
East Brunswick, New Jersey
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March 23, 2009
Bill is someone I’ll always remember because of the influence he still has on my work. We miss ya brother!
TOYS R US family member.
~
Bill Hood,
Wayne, New Jersey
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March 23, 2009
Dear Diane and Family
I worked with Bill for many years, and admired him for his Intellect,Honesty and LOVE for his family. We have lost one of the truly great ones. My prayers are with you all at this most difficult time.
~
Lisa Gonzalez,
Wayne, New Jersey
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March 23, 2009
Dear Snyder Family,
I worked with Bill for over 11 years at Toys R Us and will miss him dearly, He meant a tremendous amount to many of us there and we all enjoyed his brilliant skills, unique perspective and colorful commentaries. Most of all I enjoyed his friendship and company and whether we were at the Mets playing his beloved Reds, the Feast of San Gennaro, or discussing politics, his love of family, friends and life always shone thru. The world is a better place and I’m a better person for having Bill in my life and we’ve all lost a great shine in a dreary world. My condolences and prayers are with you all.
~
Dan Perlowitz,
Franklin Square, New York
March 22, 2009
Dear Dede and family,
Lake Dunmore has lost one of the most exuberant members of this special community. I will be forever grateful for his caring and compassion. Rick will be terribly missed by our family.
~
Liz (Reed) Terwilliger,
Biddeford, Maine
March 22, 2009
We will miss Rick even though we are living far away. Rick leaves us with many happy memories of the times we were all together!
~
Jack & RuthAnn Railsback,
White City, Kansas
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March 20, 2009
Mrs. Snyder,
We are so sorry for your loss. Rick was a wonderful person and a helpful volunteer in the Town of Leicester.
May your faith and fond memories help you through this sad time.
~
Donna and Arlan Pidgeon,
Leicester, Vermont
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