Richard Snyder

SNYDER, Richard

Richard "Duke" Ralph Snyder died February 15, 2011 peacefully at Ivy Court in Coeur D' Alene, ID . He was born in Culver City, CA on January 13, 1933. Duke was a retired Anthropology /Archeaolgy Instructor at North Idaho College. He served in the Army as an MP at Fort Devon, MA, during the Korean War. He attended Santa Monica CC and played trombone in the marching band in high school as well as college. During his graduate studies at UCLA, he worked on an Archeology dig in the Dordogne region of France near Lascaux caves, on a site associated with both Cro-Magnon as well as Neanderthal remains. He also participated in a dig in the Mohave Desert in CA with early New World man remains under the direction of Dr. L. S. B. Leakey. After graduation from UCLA he worked on Catalina Island at a private school as a teacher but also worked with the Catalina Island company doing Archeological excavations. He moved to Coeur D' Alene in 1972 to accept the position at North Idaho College. His wonderful imagination created a catapult contest "plunk your magic twanger" between engineering departments of area colleges, a Cryptozoological Club (a search for Sasquatch and Lake Ponderay monsters). He also coached the soccer team at NIC. Duke belonged to a "North Idaho" Two Bit Philosophical and Breakfast Club Society," a collection of friends for discussions and books to share. He brought his sense of humor, always willing to tell a story he thought was funny, and an encyclopedic mind and memory. He was able to quote author, book and title and it's related information into conversation. He retired in 1996 and spent many years on the road with his RV.

He married Betty Fergusson in 1960 and they had two children, Beverly Ann and Brynmorgaine (nee Susan Colleen). They were divorced in 1980. He is survived by his two daughters Beverly Vredevelt, Spokane, WA and Byrnmorgaine, San Diego, CA. His sister, Carole Snyder of Post Falls, his brother Gary Snyder of Kennewick, WA his grandchildren, Rachel Kretz, Oak Harbor, WA, Sarah Vredevelt and David Vredevelt, Spokane, WA and Joshua Shirley, Oak Harbor, WA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Gary Snyder, Jr. and Andrew Snyder of MA, Scott Snyder of Kennewick, WA David Snyder of Portland, OR, Mathew (Tomoko) Snyder, Riverside CA and Jennifer (Fahd) Saeed of Salem OR, one great-granddaughter, Susan Marie of Oak Harbor and former wife, Betty.

His Memorial Service will be March 5, 2011 at the Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Rd., Coeur D' Alene, ID at 10:00am. A reception will folllow at the Gathering Place Hall at about 10:45am.