Elmer Snyder

1926 - 2017

Elmer Snyder
Jun 4, 1926 – Feb 11, 2017
Elmer Charles Snyder passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017 in Newman, CA after a brief battle with cancer. He was 90.
Elmer Snyder was born June 4, 1926. He was the son of Harry M. Snyder and Aileen Heacox Snyder, both members of pioneer families of Merced County and the Westside. Born and raised in Gustine, he attended Cottonwood (Clay) School and Gustine High School. He was proud to have served as a Naval Aviation Mechanic during World War II.
In 1948, Elmer was a founding member of the Westside Auto Club. Nicknamed "Unsprung" Snyder, Elmer's greatest love and passion was drag racing. He began building dragsters in his garage and testing them on River Road in the 1950's. He was determined to find a way to make them run better, faster, and stronger.
Elmer was a legend in the racing world and was a regular on the California tracks of Fremont, Half Moon Bay, Ballico, Salinas, Kingdon, Pomona, and Mile High in Denver, CO. He faced such racing icons as Don Garlits, "TV" Tommy Ivo, and Mickey Thompson.
In the late 1960's, Elmer relocated to Hawaii. There, he raced regularly at the Hawaii Raceway Park. He opened Snyder's Machine Works in Waipahu which he ran for over 20 years. Elmer moved back to California in the 1990's and took up residence in Twain Harte, CA spending time with family and friends on the Westside. He loved keeping in touch with friends and reminiscing about their days in the drag racing world.
In his retirement years, Elmer was active in Nostalgia Drag racing, ready and willing to take on any competitor. The first rail dragster he built in the early 1950's was the same one he raced at the Eagle Field drags in May 2016 … just a few weeks shy of his 90th birthday. Never one to sit on the sidelines and up for any challenge, Elmer went skydiving for the first time on his 90th birthday. Elmer will always be remembered for his endless energy, tenacity, and living each day to the absolute fullest.
To honor "Unsprung" Snyder, son Dick will continue to race Elmer's dragster at Eagle Field in loving memory of his father's racing legacy.
Elmer is survived by his daughter, Carol Gannon and husband Steve of Fair Oaks; son Dick Snyder and wife Vicky of Gustine; grandson Coupe Snyder and wife Shelby of Modesto; great grandson Cole Snyder of Modesto and step-grandchildren Beverly Mann of Chandler, AZ and Tonya Silva of Denair.
He is also survived by sisters Pat Snoke and husband Wilbur of Gustine; Lois Geasland of Vancouver, WA; Jeanne Snyder of Bakersfield; and his companion Janet Calton of Modesto.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Joyce Fetterman Herger; second wife Sharon Snyder; and his brother Frank Snyder.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, February 27th at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 W. McCabe Road, Santa Nella, CA 95322.
A Celebration of Elmer "Unsprung" Snyder's life will be held from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Saturday, March 25th at the Gustine Veterans Memorial Hall, 145 Fifth St, Gustine, CA, 95322.
Remembrances may be directed to: Eagle Field Lions Club c/o Rocky Phillips, 1879 E. Adams Avenue, Fresno, CA 93725, Bristol Hospice, 1170 West Olive Drive, Merced, CA 95348 or Gustine Historical Society, 803 Laurel Avenue, Gustine, CA 95322.
Services conducted by Hillview Funeral Chapel, Gustine.
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