Henry Snyder

Dr. Henry D Snyder, Jr. passed away at home; peacefully and with his family at his side. Henry was born March 20, 1937 to Henry D Snyder, Sr and Ann Hogg Snyder in Saginaw Michigan. 

At the tender age of 16, he met the love of his life Catherine (Kaye) Eckerman. In 1959 they married and through that union of love three children were born, Lynn Ellen Burdick (David) of Decatur, IL; Mark Henry Snyder (Kristi) of Castle Rock, CO; and Catherine Ann Ebel (Patrick) of Grand Junction, CO.

Henry attended the University of Michigan. Beginning as a junior high math teacher, his thirty-seven year career in education included teacher, college faculty and Dean at two major universities and school district administrator. His last ten professional years were spent in the role he preferred – high school mathematics teacher.

Henry and Kaye retired in 1998 to be grandparents to their increasing clan of grandkids. They enjoyed watching their sports, music, and theater events whenever they could. He was a special Grandpa to Jobie Condotti, Robben Burdick, Cole Burdick, Emma Burdick Lutz (Justin), Braden Snyder, Maddie Haller, and Maggie Snyder (in birth order), and his bonus grandchildren Aidan and Zane Ebel and Lisa Gwyn. He also volunteered at the Mesa County Public Library and together he and Kaye volunteered at Catholic Outreach and for the League of Women Voters. They enjoyed a full, rich retirement.

Our parents spent 72 years together, 65 of those as husband and wife. Mom passed away September 3, 2024. Dad spent the next 4 months missing her and finally decided it was time to be back together. Neither of them knew life without the other, so on December 31st, before a New Year without her, he left us to join our mom. 

If you knew our dad, you knew a compassionate, gentle, kind man with a brilliant mind and quick humor. Dad never met a stranger. His kindness and enthusiasm for life spread to everyone he met. In his honor, spread a little kindness to one another. 

His children and grandchildren survive him, as does his brother Donald Snyder (Ruth) of South Windsor, CT. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Hope West Hospice, whose care and compassion helped all of us through mom and dad’s final months, or Catholic Outreach, a cause they both deeply believed in. A memorial celebration will take place this summer at their cabin in Michigan. A place they both dearly loved.