Leo Snow

Leo Beman Snow

December 1, 1923 - December 16, 2013

Raleigh

Leo Beman Snow, 90, was born in St. George, UT on December 1, 1923, to Leo Alva Snow and Lula Pendleton Snow, the fifth of nine children. He passed away in Raleigh, NC, on 12/16/13 from causes incident to age.

Beman was reared in St. George during the Depression years. His father, a civil engineer, was frequently away from home on assignment in southern Utah and northern Nevada, leaving his children to assist in managing the busy household, garden, and milk cow. Beman quickly learned the necessity of frugality and wise stewardship of resources. Always a good student, he attended Dixie High and Dixie College before going on to Brigham Young University, then to Temple University Medical School for his MD, then specialized in Radiology. He was Chief of Radiology at Grace Memorial Hospital in Morganton, NC until his retirement.

At BYU he met Doris Miller, whose family had moved from St. Anthony, ID to Washington DC, where her father worked for a congressman. With our nation in the midst of WWII, Beman was drafted into the Navy, sent to boot camp in San Diego, qualified for the V12 program, sent to the Naval Academy Prep School in Bainbridge, MD, and was transferred into Temple Medical School, Philadelphia, PA, three days after the start of the fall term, 1943. Despite gas rationing, he made frequent trips to see his sweetheart and they were married December 22, 1944.

After medical school, Beman did his internship and began radiology residency at Temple University, interrupted by two years in the USAF as Chief of Radiology at Burtonwood AFB, near Manchester, Great Britain, during the Korean War. At the completion of his training he moved his young family to Morganton, NC in 1955, and began his professional career.

Beman and Doris quickly adapted to life in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, enjoying brief trips to nearby Lake James. Continuing an electronics hobby, Beman built the family's first TV, hi-fi, and stereo sets. Later he pursued his horticultural interest as a member of the Rhododendron Society. He became a skilled woodworking craftsman, blessing his family with many heirloom furniture pieces. As an accomplished aviator he flew his Piper Arrow on memorable trips within the U.S. and to Canada, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. He was active in the local Kiwanis Club and both he and Doris were active members at the First Presbyterian Church of Morganton.

After several years in solo practice, the arrival of an associate gave Beman the opportunity to travel weekly to Bowman Gray Medical School in Winston-Salem, NC where he became a Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology. On the forefront of his specialty he was able to introduce many innovations into his hometown practice. He was elected to Fellowship in the American College of Radiology and served as their N.C. Counselor. Volunteer service in Colombia, South America, aboard the US Hope hospital ship was a highlight of his career. With Doris he traveled to professional meetings and made visits to many of the wonders of the world, noting the art, architecture, history, and culture of each place.

Upon retirement, Beman and Doris downsized and moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to family. They became active in the academic and cultural pursuits there as part-time students at local colleges and as docents at the NC Museum of Art. They were members of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Beman is survived by his wife, Doris and by his children: Ronald (Sharon) Snow of St. George, UT, Richard (Deborah) Snow of Cary, NC, and Patti (Gerry) Shanley of Raleigh, NC, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered as a soft-spoken, practical and conservative gentleman who was skilled in his vocation and avocations, honest in his dealings and generous with his time and talents.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Steven Liebowitz and Dad's care-givers at The Rosewood, Home Instead, and Hospice of Wake County for their kindness and compassion.