Harold Snyder

SNYDER--Harold, 86, of New York City. Generic drug pioneer Harold Snyder died December 18 after a brief illness. Mr. Snyder promoted the widespread use of generic drugs which have improved the lives of millions of people throughout the world. At his death, Mr. Snyder served as a director of Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd., the world's largest generic pharmaceutical company, and as a principal of HBJ Investments. His philanthropy was wide ranging; whether through The Beatrice Snyder Foundation, his many direct gifts, or his participation in organizations large and small. Born on April 25, 1922, Mr. Snyder grew up in NYC, the son of immigrant parents. Despite his enormous success later in life, he never forgot the poverty of his childhood. His caring and generosity touched countless lives around the world; from local charities to medical research, from ecology to music. He was also a passionate promoter of progressive causes. He never regarded any issue as too insignificant to prevent his tireless involvement. Mr. Snyder served in the Army Air Corps on a B-17 bomber during World War II. He graduated from New York University in 1948 and received an M.S. from Columbia University in natural science in 1950. Mr. Snyder was one of the founders of the generic drug industry. In 1964 he formed Biocraft Laboratories in Elmwood Park, NJ with his wife of 49 years, Beatrice. He served Biocraft as President, CEO and Chairman for the next three decades where he worked closely with his entire family. Under his stewardship, Biocraft became one of the largest generic drug manufacturers in the U.S. In 1985, it was the first generic drug manufacturer to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Snyder is survived by his wife, Tamar Hirschl Snyder, an Israeli artist, whom he married in NYC, his daughter, Beryl, and his sons, Brian and Jay, all of NYC, and by six grandchildren, Quentin, Jackson, Maxwell, Ophelia, Brette and Evan. The service will be on Monday, December 22, at 11:45am at The Riverside Memorial Chapel, West 76th at Amsterdam Ave. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Harold Snyder Charitable Fund, 592 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10036.