David Gene Snider

David Gene Snider of Nixa, MO passed away on November 18, 2025. He was born in Kansas City, MO on October 10, 1937 to Chester and Joan Snider. He graduated from Shawnee-Mission High School in 1955 and from the University of Missouri in 1959. Upon graduation he joined the MO. Army National Guard and served for 6 years. He worked at MoDOT from 1959-1966 and 1992-1999 retiring in 1999 as Assistant Chief Engineer – Operations as well as Interim Director in 2004. He then worked for the City of Springfield, MO as Director of Public Works from 1972-1991. One of his most prized accomplishments was designing and installing the first two-way left turn lane in the United States on Route 60 (Sunshine Street) in Springfield in 1964. He was a Professional Engineer and in 1982 was elected one of the Top 10 Public Works Leaders of the U.S. and Canada. In 2003 he became the Transportation Professional of the year in the Missouri Valley Section of the ITE and in 2004 was elected to the University of Missouri Civil Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni. He was a member of Kiwanis for 40 years (1981-2020) and in 2004 became a George Hixon Fellow. He also taught Sunday School 30 years from Kindergarten to Adults as well as holding various positions in the Methodist Church including Chairman of the Board at Schweitzer.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Phyllis of 61 years and his sister Patty of Corsicana, Texas. They were married in Prairie Home, MO on January 17, 1960. They had three children, Barbara and her husband Jeff of Denver, Colorado, Jennifer and her husband Brad of Nixa, and Alan and his wife Susie of Blue Eye. He has six grandchildren, Carlee (husband DJ)and Mackenzie (husband Christian and great-grandson JJ), Brendan and Gavin, Kathleen and Julia (husband Will). He also has one surviving sister Joanie (husband Lee and son Barry (wife Ria and children Jeri and Tristan) of Springfield.

He enjoyed woodworking, fishing and most of all golfing. He also enjoyed traveling and he and his wife were able to visit all 50 states as well as all but one of the Canadian Providences plus many foreign countries. They also visited six of the seven continents with Antarctica being the only one not reached.

Visitation (11:00 am) and Services(12:00 pm) will be held at Schweitzer Church on November 22, 2025 followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be at Hazelwood Cemetery on November 24, 2025.

Instead of flowers Memorial contributions can be given to the Schweitzer Church Food Pantry and/or Children's Ministries.