Donald Snyder

1936 - 2023

Donald Snyder, 86, of Valencia, passed away peacefully on Jan. 1, 2023, at Butler Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Thelma Jean Snyder; his son, Donald Andrew Snyder and wife, Deborah, and their two children, Thomas, 17, and Summer, 15; his daughter, Susan Darlene Iverson and husband, Robert Iverson, and their three children, daughter Shannon Zamora, 34, and husband, Steven Zamora, 35, and their son, Ethan Robert Zamora, 5 months, a son, Matthew Iverson, 29, and son, Jonathan Iverson, 21; and his daughter, Diane Marie Snyder of Gibsonia.
Donald was born Jan. 26, 1936, to Louis and Emily Snyder of Carnegie. His brother, Louis Snyder, and sister, Betty Berlingeri preceded him in death.
Donald attended Carnegie High School and graduated as valedictorian. He was a 1957 graduate of Penn State University, where he earned a degree in engineering.
Donald also enrolled in the U.S. Air Force's Reserve Officer Training Program and was selected for undergraduate pilot training.
He married the former Thelma Jean Bradley of Oakdale on June 15, 1957, at the Federal United Methodist Church.
Donald completed pilot training in 1959 with an initial duty assignment to Kadena, AB on Okinawa, Japan, flying the F-100 Super Sabre. His distinguished military career ended 35 years later when he retired as the vice commander of Tactical Air Command as a lieutenant general in the U.S. Air Force. Numerous other duty postings included Cannon AFB, New Mexico; Luke AFB, Arizona; three combat tours in Vietnam; Montgomery, Ala.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; the Defense Special Projects Group in Washington, D.C.; Ankara, Turkey; Carlisle Barracks, Pa.; Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines; Hickam AFB, Hawaii; Kunsan AB, South Korea; Bergstrom AFB, Texas; McDill AFB, Fla.; and Langley AFB, Va.; as well as countless deployments away from home. He was a Fighter Weapons School distinguished graduate, held a master's degree in public administration, and commanded at all levels in the Air Force.
General Snyder was a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours and had flown F-4, F-5, F-15, F-16, F-100, F-104, O-1 and T-33 aircraft. His military awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Air Medal. He was a member of the Premier Fellowship for Military Aviators, the Air & Space Forces Association, and the Super Sabre Society.
In his retirement years, Donald enjoyed community service through his church, teaching Sunday school, gardening, reading, occasional travel and spending more time with his beloved "TJ."
Donald was a devout Christian, dedicated family man, patriot, and loyal friend. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and was blessed to meet his great-grandson, Ethan, last fall.
Donald's legacy is his family - who loved him immensely - and who will greatly miss the example he set, his smiling face, his sense of humor and his warm heart.
SNYDER - Friends of Donald Snyder, who died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at FOX FUNERAL HOME, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Denny Krajacic.
Interment will follow in the Butler County Memorial Park with military honors performed by the Saxonburg American Legion.
Please consider making a donation to the American Red Cross in Don's memory.
For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.