Richard Lee Snodgrass

1954 - 2016

Richard Lee Snodgrass

Virginia Beach - Richard Lee Snodgrass, 61, a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away peacefully from Pulmonary Failure on May 4, 2016. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Richard, who was called Dickie by his family and childhood friends, was born on September 4, 1954 in Norfolk, VA. His parents, Eleanor Lee Potts Snodgrass and Captain Cornelius Stribling Snodgrass, Jr, USN, predeceased him. Dickie attended Proctor Academy in Andover, NH, where he was an avid mountain climber. He served on the student council and played football, soccer, and tennis. He majored in Forestry at Sewanee, The University of the South, in Sewanee, TN. There he nurtured his love of the outdoors and became an extraordinary long distance runner. He continued his cross country runs appreciating nature for many years.

In addition to being a superb athlete, Dickie was a creative artist and writer. He worked in a variety of mediums and kept detailed journals of his everyday observations and diverse interests. He was caring and compassionate despite his decades long struggle with Schizophrenia. He will be remembered as a free spirit with a gentle soul. Dickie never married nor had children of his own, but he was especially close to his seven nephews and one niece. Dickie is survived by his four siblings: Susan Snodgrass Wynne and her husband John Oliver Wynne of Virginia Beach; Geoffrey Powell Snodgrass and his wife Holly Sharp Snodgrass of New Orleans, LA; Llewellyn Powell Snodgrass and his wife Catharine Berriman Snodgrass of Alexandria, VA; and Julia Snodgrass Walker and her husband John Luther Walker, III of Richmond, VA. His nephews and niece are: John Oliver Wynne, Jr. (Katherine Waddell Wynne); Bradford Annan Wynne (Catherine Crawford Wynne); Major Walter Palmer Snodgrass, USMC (Christine Kellam Snodgrass); Christopher Powell Snodgrass (Tyler Feagin Snodgrass); John Luther Walker, IV; Lee Stribling Walker; and Catharine Coleman Snodgrass. He is also survived by two great nephews and five great nieces. He was predeceased by his nephew Lee Stribling Wynne.

A visitation will be Monday, May 9, from 4-6 p.m. in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 2002 Laskin Rd Virginia Beach, VA 23454. A memorial service will be held at Galilee Church Tuesday, May 10 at 11:00 a.m. at 3928 Pacific Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Beach House Inc. to benefit those struggling with mental illness. Beach House Inc. 3143 Magic Hollow Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. "GOOD LUCK AND BE HAPPY" (RLS).