Obituary is from the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock, Va. website (www.curriefuneralhome.net), posted December 29, 2014:
Col. Richard C. Snyder
USAF Pilot; WWII Prisoner of War
Retired Col. Richard C. Snyder, 92, of Lancaster, Va. died Monday, December 22nd at his home surrounded by his loving wife Mary, other family, and friends.
Col. Snyder was born May 17, 1922 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, youngest son of Dr. Howard McCrum Snyder and Alice Concklin Snyder. Dr. Snyder had a distinguished career in medicine, culminating in being personal physician to General and President Eisenhower from 1946 until Eisenhower’s death.
Col. Snyder was a 1943 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY and served initially as a P-47 instructor pilot at Ft. Dix, NJ. In World War II, he was a fighter pilot assigned to the 78th Fighter Group, 82nd Squadron, of the 8th Air Force stationed in Duxford, England. In September, 1944, while piloting a P-47 as part of Operation Market Garden, he was shot down over Holland. He was captured, and as a POW spent the next nine months in prison camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany.
Following his release from prison camp, Col. Snyder served three years as an academic instructor at West Point. In latter 1948, as the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, he volunteered for duty as part of “Operation Vittles” and the Berlin Airlift where he piloted a C-54 hauling loads of coal and steel rebar. He subsequently became Aircraft Commander in the USAF’s Strategic Air Command flying B-29’s.
In 1950, Col. Snyder was one of the early officers to earn the additional aeronautical ratings of Navigator, Bombardier, and Radar Observer, allowing him to fly the first swept-wing intercontinental bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. From 1952 to 1954 he was an aircraft commander and squadron operations officer. He then became Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Arthur W. Radford. That assignment was followed by service with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD) in Inglewood, California where he worked closely with Major General Bernard A. Schriever, commander of AFBMD. During his Air Force career, Col. Snyder was the recipient of the Air Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1965. From 1965 to 1985 he was Vice President, Government Relations, for TRW Inc.
Col. Snyder was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was Committee Chairman of the largest Boy Scout troop in Alexandria, VA, District Scout Commissioner for Alexandria, and in 1969 earned the highest adult award in scouting, The Silver Beaver, from the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also an honorary member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in Lancaster, where he served as Junior Warden and Treasurer.
Dick, as he was known to friends and family, was a generous and considerate man. Together with his wife, Mary, they devoted a majority of their retired years to the care and upkeep of their home and grounds on Myer Creek. Dick was a nature and wildlife enthusiast, and he would frequently regale the ospreys, blue herons, otters, and other wildlife that frequented their end of Myer Creek. He was an avid reader, with particular interest in US and World History. His support for many local institutions and causes, including Rappahannock Community College, was unfailing.
He is survived by his wife, Mary and two sons, Peter P. Snyder (Beth), of Havertown, PA, and Stephen S. Snyder (Eric Fishman), of Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren Christopher M. Snyder, Richard M. Snyder, and Robert P. Snyder; and three great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by two sons, Richard C. Snyder, Jr., and Bruce D. Snyder.
Also surviving are step-children, John L. Hester (Sherry), of Reston, VA, and Joyce Henderson (Gary) of Justin, TX; grandchildren John-Currie Hester, Meredith Hester, Todd Henderson, Chad Henderson, and Tracy Leeper; and six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Whitechapel Scholarship fund.
Col. Richard C. Snyder
USAF Pilot; WWII Prisoner of War
Retired Col. Richard C. Snyder, 92, of Lancaster, Va. died Monday, December 22nd at his home surrounded by his loving wife Mary, other family, and friends.
Col. Snyder was born May 17, 1922 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, youngest son of Dr. Howard McCrum Snyder and Alice Concklin Snyder. Dr. Snyder had a distinguished career in medicine, culminating in being personal physician to General and President Eisenhower from 1946 until Eisenhower’s death.
Col. Snyder was a 1943 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY and served initially as a P-47 instructor pilot at Ft. Dix, NJ. In World War II, he was a fighter pilot assigned to the 78th Fighter Group, 82nd Squadron, of the 8th Air Force stationed in Duxford, England. In September, 1944, while piloting a P-47 as part of Operation Market Garden, he was shot down over Holland. He was captured, and as a POW spent the next nine months in prison camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany.
Following his release from prison camp, Col. Snyder served three years as an academic instructor at West Point. In latter 1948, as the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, he volunteered for duty as part of “Operation Vittles” and the Berlin Airlift where he piloted a C-54 hauling loads of coal and steel rebar. He subsequently became Aircraft Commander in the USAF’s Strategic Air Command flying B-29’s.
In 1950, Col. Snyder was one of the early officers to earn the additional aeronautical ratings of Navigator, Bombardier, and Radar Observer, allowing him to fly the first swept-wing intercontinental bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. From 1952 to 1954 he was an aircraft commander and squadron operations officer. He then became Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Arthur W. Radford. That assignment was followed by service with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD) in Inglewood, California where he worked closely with Major General Bernard A. Schriever, commander of AFBMD. During his Air Force career, Col. Snyder was the recipient of the Air Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1965. From 1965 to 1985 he was Vice President, Government Relations, for TRW Inc.
Col. Snyder was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was Committee Chairman of the largest Boy Scout troop in Alexandria, VA, District Scout Commissioner for Alexandria, and in 1969 earned the highest adult award in scouting, The Silver Beaver, from the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also an honorary member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in Lancaster, where he served as Junior Warden and Treasurer.
Dick, as he was known to friends and family, was a generous and considerate man. Together with his wife, Mary, they devoted a majority of their retired years to the care and upkeep of their home and grounds on Myer Creek. Dick was a nature and wildlife enthusiast, and he would frequently regale the ospreys, blue herons, otters, and other wildlife that frequented their end of Myer Creek. He was an avid reader, with particular interest in US and World History. His support for many local institutions and causes, including Rappahannock Community College, was unfailing.
He is survived by his wife, Mary and two sons, Peter P. Snyder (Beth), of Havertown, PA, and Stephen S. Snyder (Eric Fishman), of Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren Christopher M. Snyder, Richard M. Snyder, and Robert P. Snyder; and three great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by two sons, Richard C. Snyder, Jr., and Bruce D. Snyder.
Also surviving are step-children, John L. Hester (Sherry), of Reston, VA, and Joyce Henderson (Gary) of Justin, TX; grandchildren John-Currie Hester, Meredith Hester, Todd Henderson, Chad Henderson, and Tracy Leeper; and six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Whitechapel Scholarship fund.
Obituary is from the Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock, Va. website (www.curriefuneralhome.net), posted December 29, 2014:
Col. Richard C. Snyder
USAF Pilot; WWII Prisoner of War
Retired Col. Richard C. Snyder, 92, of Lancaster, Va. died Monday, December 22nd at his home surrounded by his loving wife Mary, other family, and friends.
Col. Snyder was born May 17, 1922 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, youngest son of Dr. Howard McCrum Snyder and Alice Concklin Snyder. Dr. Snyder had a distinguished career in medicine, culminating in being personal physician to General and President Eisenhower from 1946 until Eisenhower’s death.
Col. Snyder was a 1943 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY and served initially as a P-47 instructor pilot at Ft. Dix, NJ. In World War II, he was a fighter pilot assigned to the 78th Fighter Group, 82nd Squadron, of the 8th Air Force stationed in Duxford, England. In September, 1944, while piloting a P-47 as part of Operation Market Garden, he was shot down over Holland. He was captured, and as a POW spent the next nine months in prison camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany.
Following his release from prison camp, Col. Snyder served three years as an academic instructor at West Point. In latter 1948, as the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, he volunteered for duty as part of “Operation Vittles” and the Berlin Airlift where he piloted a C-54 hauling loads of coal and steel rebar. He subsequently became Aircraft Commander in the USAF’s Strategic Air Command flying B-29’s.
In 1950, Col. Snyder was one of the early officers to earn the additional aeronautical ratings of Navigator, Bombardier, and Radar Observer, allowing him to fly the first swept-wing intercontinental bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. From 1952 to 1954 he was an aircraft commander and squadron operations officer. He then became Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Arthur W. Radford. That assignment was followed by service with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD) in Inglewood, California where he worked closely with Major General Bernard A. Schriever, commander of AFBMD. During his Air Force career, Col. Snyder was the recipient of the Air Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1965. From 1965 to 1985 he was Vice President, Government Relations, for TRW Inc.
Col. Snyder was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was Committee Chairman of the largest Boy Scout troop in Alexandria, VA, District Scout Commissioner for Alexandria, and in 1969 earned the highest adult award in scouting, The Silver Beaver, from the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also an honorary member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in Lancaster, where he served as Junior Warden and Treasurer.
Dick, as he was known to friends and family, was a generous and considerate man. Together with his wife, Mary, they devoted a majority of their retired years to the care and upkeep of their home and grounds on Myer Creek. Dick was a nature and wildlife enthusiast, and he would frequently regale the ospreys, blue herons, otters, and other wildlife that frequented their end of Myer Creek. He was an avid reader, with particular interest in US and World History. His support for many local institutions and causes, including Rappahannock Community College, was unfailing.
He is survived by his wife, Mary and two sons, Peter P. Snyder (Beth), of Havertown, PA, and Stephen S. Snyder (Eric Fishman), of Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren Christopher M. Snyder, Richard M. Snyder, and Robert P. Snyder; and three great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by two sons, Richard C. Snyder, Jr., and Bruce D. Snyder.
Also surviving are step-children, John L. Hester (Sherry), of Reston, VA, and Joyce Henderson (Gary) of Justin, TX; grandchildren John-Currie Hester, Meredith Hester, Todd Henderson, Chad Henderson, and Tracy Leeper; and six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Whitechapel Scholarship fund.
Col. Richard C. Snyder
USAF Pilot; WWII Prisoner of War
Retired Col. Richard C. Snyder, 92, of Lancaster, Va. died Monday, December 22nd at his home surrounded by his loving wife Mary, other family, and friends.
Col. Snyder was born May 17, 1922 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, youngest son of Dr. Howard McCrum Snyder and Alice Concklin Snyder. Dr. Snyder had a distinguished career in medicine, culminating in being personal physician to General and President Eisenhower from 1946 until Eisenhower’s death.
Col. Snyder was a 1943 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY and served initially as a P-47 instructor pilot at Ft. Dix, NJ. In World War II, he was a fighter pilot assigned to the 78th Fighter Group, 82nd Squadron, of the 8th Air Force stationed in Duxford, England. In September, 1944, while piloting a P-47 as part of Operation Market Garden, he was shot down over Holland. He was captured, and as a POW spent the next nine months in prison camp Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany.
Following his release from prison camp, Col. Snyder served three years as an academic instructor at West Point. In latter 1948, as the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, he volunteered for duty as part of “Operation Vittles” and the Berlin Airlift where he piloted a C-54 hauling loads of coal and steel rebar. He subsequently became Aircraft Commander in the USAF’s Strategic Air Command flying B-29’s.
In 1950, Col. Snyder was one of the early officers to earn the additional aeronautical ratings of Navigator, Bombardier, and Radar Observer, allowing him to fly the first swept-wing intercontinental bomber, the B-47 Stratojet. From 1952 to 1954 he was an aircraft commander and squadron operations officer. He then became Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Arthur W. Radford. That assignment was followed by service with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (AFBMD) in Inglewood, California where he worked closely with Major General Bernard A. Schriever, commander of AFBMD. During his Air Force career, Col. Snyder was the recipient of the Air Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal; Prisoner of War Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He retired from the Air Force in 1965. From 1965 to 1985 he was Vice President, Government Relations, for TRW Inc.
Col. Snyder was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America. He was Committee Chairman of the largest Boy Scout troop in Alexandria, VA, District Scout Commissioner for Alexandria, and in 1969 earned the highest adult award in scouting, The Silver Beaver, from the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also an honorary member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a longtime active member of St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal Church in Lancaster, where he served as Junior Warden and Treasurer.
Dick, as he was known to friends and family, was a generous and considerate man. Together with his wife, Mary, they devoted a majority of their retired years to the care and upkeep of their home and grounds on Myer Creek. Dick was a nature and wildlife enthusiast, and he would frequently regale the ospreys, blue herons, otters, and other wildlife that frequented their end of Myer Creek. He was an avid reader, with particular interest in US and World History. His support for many local institutions and causes, including Rappahannock Community College, was unfailing.
He is survived by his wife, Mary and two sons, Peter P. Snyder (Beth), of Havertown, PA, and Stephen S. Snyder (Eric Fishman), of Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren Christopher M. Snyder, Richard M. Snyder, and Robert P. Snyder; and three great grandchildren.
He is predeceased by two sons, Richard C. Snyder, Jr., and Bruce D. Snyder.
Also surviving are step-children, John L. Hester (Sherry), of Reston, VA, and Joyce Henderson (Gary) of Justin, TX; grandchildren John-Currie Hester, Meredith Hester, Todd Henderson, Chad Henderson, and Tracy Leeper; and six great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Whitechapel Scholarship fund.
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