Howard Frederick Snyder Jr.

Howard Frederick Snyder Jr., 83, of Bozeman, passed away May 21, 2009. He was born September 18, 1925, in New Castle, Pa., to Howard and Margaret (Fulton) Snyder.

He graduated from New Castle Senior High School in June of 1943. After graduation, he entered the Army in October 1943 and served as a combat infantry man on Biak Island, Dutch New Guinea, Southern Philippines and held Liberation and occupation duties in the Kurf-Hiroshima area, Japan, with the 163rd Infantry Regiment of the 41st Infantry Division.

Utilizing the G.I. Bill, he entered Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., in 1946. While in college, he married Jean Hart on December 26, 1948. They were the parents of son, Brian, and daughter, Suzanne.

Following graduation with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. He worked as a surveyor and computer draftsman on the Western Extension Field Tasks and Harrison Headquarters from 1950 to 1956.

In 1956, he began a civil service career with the United States Air Force at the Olmsted Air force Base in Pennsylvania. He worked as a management intern and transferred to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio in September of 1963. He worked there until his retirement in 1984. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as the director of Southern European programs in the Internal Logistics Center. He had been involved in the logistics program for 11 years in key management positions in the Air Force Logistics Command. He earned several major awards during his 30-year government career.

After a brief hiatus to travel, he went back to work and served as a consultant for Logistics Techniques, Inc. (LOGTEC) in Fairborn, Ohio. He worked there from 1986 to 1988 and then permanently retired in March of 1988.

After retirement, he resumed his interest in music which had begun in the fourth grade. He played clarinet in the Sinclair Community College Band and The Dayton Letter Carriers Band.

Upon moving to Green Valley, Ariz., in September of 1988, he continued his musical interests as an early member of the Green Valley Concert Band, Chamber Music Society, the Half-Notes Quartet, Beaver Concert Band, the Tucson Concert Band, and the Green Valley Bavarian Band, as both a soloist and ensemble player. As a member of The Green Valley Concert Band, he held every office and was instrumental in creating a non-profit structure for the band. In addition to his musical interests, he enjoyed golf, puzzle-solving, and volunteering.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, to whom he was married for 60 years; his son, Brian Snyder; daughter, Suzanne Snyder Edwards and son-in-law, Jon Edwards; and six grandchildren: Brandon, Bryanna and Kevin Snyder; and Michael, Catherine and John Edwards.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Green Valley Presbyterian Church, in Green Valley, Ariz. Interment will follow in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice of Bozeman, Valor Hospice of Green Valley, Ariz., or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service, www.dokkennelson.com.