Paul C. Snyder, Jr.
September 13, 1921 - September 27, 2012
Obituary
Paul C. Snyder, Jr.
Paul C. Snyder, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, September 27th, 2012 in Bellevue, Washington.
Paul was born September 13, 1921 in Nampa, Idaho to Myrtle and Paul Snyder, Sr. He was the fourth born of six children. Paul grew up on a farm surrounded by his parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. They regularly gathered on Sunday after church to make ice cream and visit.
Paul started college at Northwest Nazarene College then transferred to the College of Idaho. He graduated in 1943 having studied chemistry and zoology. Paul then went to the University of Oregon and studied medicine. Shortly after, he became a medic in the army. After WWII, he taught for a year at Northwest Nazarene College. Paul met his sweetheart, Elizabeth, at a birthday party for his mother. On October 11, 1946, they were married in Nampa, Idaho. Together they had four children: Sharon, Jerry, Carolyn, and Bev. In 1947, Paul took graduate courses in chemistry and political science from the College of Idaho. He studied physics and biochemistry from 1949-1950 at Washington State University. He worked in x-ray and medical labs until 1967 when the family moved to Bellevue, Washington. Paul was employed by the State of Washington as a physicist. It was a job he truly enjoyed because it combined many of his interests; people, medicine, physics and machines.
Paul was always one to keep busy and had many interests including ham radio, reading, history, missions, baking bread and playing his harmonica. He also liked farming, gardening, and being a good neighbor. Paul had a love for God that he shared with friends, family and neighbors. He read his Bible daily and sought to learn more about God’s word. He had a thirst for knowledge and was interested in everything from archeology and history to steam engines and metalworking. He was known for his ability to repair and restore any type of equipment. If he didn’t have the part to fix it or couldn’t buy it, he made it in his shop.
Paul had a deep love for his family, friends and country. He enjoyed nurturing his grandchildren and surrounding them with his unconditional love. He shared stories about is childhood dog, Old Pal, his army days, and life on the farm.
Paul is preceded in death by his wife, mother, father and siblings, Edgar and Grace.
Paul is survived by three siblings, Doris, Eldon, and Donna; his four children, Sharon and family, Jerry and family, Carolyn and family, and Bev and family; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Paul will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery. In lieu of a memorial service, Paul’s children and grandchildren will be gathering to celebrate his life. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and pictures of Paul at bonneywatson.com. These will be read at the gathering. The family appreciates your love, prayers, and understanding. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Paul’s Memorial Fund. Mail to: Sharon Humphrey, 16519 SE 28th St. Bellevue, WA 98008.
We learned things about Uncle Paul that we didn’t know. Thank you for sharing his life with us.
As you think back on family memories, may you be drawn closer to each other and even more appreciative, as I know you already are, of the life you have been privileged to enjoy with your parents and siblings. We pray that the Lord will suround you with His comfort and peace.
Of all my cousins Paul was the most like me. Even though he was 14 years older, as I became an adult we shared many common interests like Ham Radio, mechanics and prophecy. When I was just a 7 or 8 years old, he led me to accept Christ. He was my role model as a Christian, and whenever I was tempted to do something I shouldn’t, my thought we be, what if Paul would see me. I can still remember his excitement when he first shared the prophecies in Ezekiel with me. He retained that excitement all his life and during our last visit he was watching those prophecies being fulfilled. His health was so poor in his last few years that I wondered if God wasn’t keeping him alive just so he could witness their fulfillment.
I will miss Paul but he is now in a better place with Elizabeth. Their marriage really was made in heaven. What a reunion they must have had.
Having Paul as a cousin blessed me and I will be eternally grateful. My prayers are with Paul’s family in this difficult time.
Earl Palmer