Steven Snyder

Steven Wayne Snyder

1951 - 2023

Redmond, OR- Steven Wayne Snyder (Steve) passed away at home in Redmond, Oregon on November 14, 2023. Steve was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 3, 1951, to Hugh A. and Gladys Reid Snyder.

Steve attended the University of Utah but left to pursue a music career. He was also a professional musician (guitar and vocals) and played in bands for several years. Two of his bands were Louie Drambuie and 911 Emergency in Salt Lake City.

He relocated to Portland, Oregon, and performed with a country/western band, playing rhythm guitar, until he got "tired of the same 4 chords". He discontinued his music career after suffering significant hearing loss. Later Steve pursued a career as a retirement plan administrator, working for various firms right up until his death.

Steve married Patricia Mavor on 31 August 1986, in Salt Lake City, and later divorced. He married Elizabeth St. John on 31 July 1993, and later divorced.

An optimist by nature, Steve married Denese Lovaas on 20 June 1999. Steve became a husband, stepfather and step-grandfather all on that same day. Steve and Denese made their home in Bend and then Redmond, Oregon.

Steve had four stepsons, Denese's sons by a previous marriage: Tony (Thomas Anthony) Starr, Tim (Timothy Adam) Starr, Nick (Nicholas Arnold) Starr and Rick (Ricky Dean) Starr. As the saying goes, "the third time's the charm", as Steve and Denese had 25 years together loving life and each other.

Steve had the ability to make lifelong friends from grade school on and maintained those friendships throughout his life. After relocating to Oregon, Steve became an expert at white-water rafting, and ran the Deschutes River every summer.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Sharon Snyder Kamerath, a brother, Clyde Reid Snyder, and stepson, Tony.

Steve is survived by his widow, Denese Lovass Snyder and stepsons, Tim, Nick and Ricky Starr, a sister, Bobby (Barbara) Snyder Colton, and brothers Ron (Ronald) and Ken (Kenneth) Snyder. He is also survived by several grandchildren: Savannah Starr Sutfin, Jonah Starr, Micah Starr, Jonathen Starr, Emily Starr, Brenden Starr, Jaxon Starr, and Mandy Starr. He is also survived by one great-grandchild, Malaki Joseph Sutfin.

A memorial service with friends and family will be held at the family home on November 29th at 1 pm. Steve has chosen cremation, so there will be no graveside service.