Walter Diamond

1927 - 2013

Walter Diamond, co-founder of Snyder Diamond, passed away at his home in Palm Springs on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 after a brief battle with a Lymphoma brain tumor. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife Sheri, daughter Tamara, and niece Samara. Born in Chicago in 1927, Walter Diamond then moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1935 when he was eight years old. He grew up in the Boyle Heights section of LA during the depression years. As a young boy he worked at many different jobs to help support his family. After the attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII, Walter enlisted into the Navy at the young age of 17 and was called into active duty in March of 1945. When he returned home, he graduated from Fairfax High school and then he attended LACC and USC. Walter started out working in the scrap metal business and from there transitioned into the decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms in the 1950s with partner Lou Snyder. Walter traveled to Europe to attend many Kitchen and Bath industry shows and had the foresight to find new plumbing fixtures that people would want to have in their homes in the U.S. He was the first to import many beautiful European design products to this country and is known as a Pioneer/Legend of the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. He was an original Entrepreneur He encouraged, and mentored many people and is respected for his integrity, honesty and ethical nature. He has been honored by his industry and leaves a legacy unmatched by his peers and admired by all those who were privileged to play in his world of creativity. He considered his Snyder Diamond employees like family. He will be greatly missed! Snyder Diamond still maintains its original Santa Monica location along with additional showrooms in Pasadena and North Hollywood. Walter and Sheri (his wife of 29 years) lived in Malibu for several years and after they lost their home in a big Malibu fire they decided to move to Palm Springs where they became an active part of the community. They have traveled all over the world and have friends in many countries. In addition to watching his Dodgers and Lakers, Walter really loved attending the Palm Springs International Film Festivals and being a member of P.S. film societies. Walter is survived by his loving wife Sheri, his three sons, Jeffrey, Russell and Glenn and daughter Tamara. A memorial for Walter Diamond is still pending. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in his name to the City Of Hope or to your charity of choice.

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