Benjamin Lee Snobar of Olympia, Wash., owner of Northwest Performance, passed away on November 11, 2016. He was born March 25, 1955 in Centralia, Washington. He loved muscle cars, wrestling and cooking and was well known for his apple orchard. Ben married Barbara Buss on June 25, 1978. He studied automotive mechanics at Grays Harbor Community College, as well as education and technology at Western Washington University. Ben was valued for his integrity, honesty, and sense of humor. He inspired people in the automotive and wrestling communities. Preceded in death by Mother Gloria S. Zimbra, Father Irving V. Senitt, Step Father Sam Snobar, and one brother. He is survived by his wife Barbara Snobar, three children: Bradley Snobar, Stephanie Robinson, and Chelsea Snobar, and Grandson Benjamin Snobar. He is also survived by his Step Father Tony Ramos and seven siblings. The memorial service is at 1:00 PM on November 21, 2016 at Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater.

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Published by The Olympian on Nov. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Benjamin Snobar

Sponsored by Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park.

31 Entries

Cameron& Julie Scott-Polson

May 20, 2021

Ben was the nicest person we and my family met in the states.I We came down twice in the last ten yrs to meet and aquire parts.Always amazed at what he was up to.I was introduced to him by Richard Maki years ago.Such a nice guy.Very sad to hear of his passing, RIP Ben.

Lisa Senitt

June 7, 2017

Thinking of you!!

Michael Bechtel

June 3, 2017

I've known Ben for 35 years, and had alot of good times talking and buying cars and alot of parts, I will surly miss you, and your wisdom, you guided me through difficult times , now you can be top guru in heaven, R.I.P. my friend.

Adam Ellison

January 24, 2017

Rest in Peace Ben. btw, your products were excellent, good job, well done sir.

January 24, 2017

Rest in Peace Ben. I always enjoyed our conversations about Mopars and your willingness to always share your knowledge. You really enjoyed conversing and some of our conversations would last for an hour. I remember our discussions not only about cars but your Vietnam military experience. You always made everyone feel like your friend. God be with You.

December 29, 2016

I first meet Ben at a Mopar Show in Southern California called Spring Fling. His gentle style and GREAT stories about cars and life instantly bonded us as friends. I would over the years talk to Ben often. And even though he was always busy, he was never too busy to talk. I remember I asked him one time of his BEST hemicar deal. (A chrysler car between 1966 and 1971). He told me that in the early 80's he bought a 1966 hemi, 4 speed charger for $600.00. Wow, I told him. This is a $75k to 100K car now. He told me that he had dozen of cool cars, hemi, multicarbed, etc over the years. He also make some incredible parts. I got a lot of shaker parts from him over the years. And each time we talked, it was like we just talked the day before. He was like that. When you were his friend, it didnt' change over time. You were always his friend.

So to my friend, my confidant, my hero, I say GoodBye!.

You will be sorely missed.

Thomas Schwartz
San Jose, Ca
Muscle Car Junkie...

Fish Phil

December 1, 2016

To the Snobar family i am very sorry to learn the loss of Ben, i never had the pleasure of meeting him but you could not tell from our conversations that we would have over the years , i would be on the phone ordering six pack parts and the next thing i would know we were talking about world problems and a hour had passed. i will miss our conversations and doing business with him. Your family has lost a great man and the Mopar community has lost a great mopar vendor enthusiast and best yet a true honest man & friend. RIP

Phil Fish
Fish Automotive
Connersville in

Doug Lepak

November 27, 2016

So sad... I just found out that my friend Ben Snobar passed away and was laid to rest last week... I never met him in person but I've known and been dealing with him and his awesome Mopar reproduction parts business for over 20 years.

I always enjoyed and got many laughs from our extended phone conversations when ordering parts (seriously... many calls lasted over 2 hours lol). They ranged from cars, to wrestling, to his service in Vietnam, his knowledge of military history and his trips overseas to make all the never ending arrangements to have the myriad of reproduction parts he sold, built as close as possible to factory original.

Ben was a man with a passion for living and he made the most of every day... I was always impressed by his schedule and copious amounts of work he had planned...

Ben, you and your contribution to the world of Mopar restoration will be missed. I was actually going to be calling you on Monday to order more rim blow switches... it was a conversation I wish we could have had many more times in the future... :(

Later buddy...

Doug Lepak
The Steering Wheel Guy

Markkus O'Shea

November 21, 2016

I have deep respect and admiration for Ben
He was kind to me and offered work when I needed it.
He will be missed but not forgotten

November 21, 2016

From all of us in the Mopar world, so sorry to hear of your passing. And it seems that you did a lot for a lot of others in this world. We will miss you...
Mopars Unlimited - Tacoma Chapter

Meryl McDonald

November 21, 2016

I will carry beautiful memories of my brothers heart and generosity. We met late in life, yet he opened up his heart and home to me. I still see his half grin and feel his presence with me, with us. You will be remembered always Ben, with love, Meryl

Chris Dickson

November 21, 2016

One of the most amazing men I have ever met. He was there for our girls at wresting, whether he was their coach or not. That big heart had a great impact on many people and he will be missed.

Pam Richards

November 20, 2016

What a wonderful coach and advocate for the sport of wrestling. A patient teacher and supporter to my daughter and son in the sport. I have fond memories of his kindness, humor and entertaining puzzles. Rest easy coach.

Shirley Reynolds-Rohr

November 19, 2016

Always Happy and always smiling. You were a great neighbor and friend. You also helped my cousin out so much! Big heart you have. Hoping you are racing with the Angels. Until we meet again. God Bless you Ben

Steve crawford

November 18, 2016

Ben, you were a valued customer, but we valued your friendship above all else. We will always remember the great stories and amazing adventures you shared with us, as well as the bags of delicious apples from your orchard. It is with a heavy heart that we we say goodbye to you way to soon. Our prayers are with your family and may god bless you. You will be missed.
With love, Steve, Carmen ,Jacob, and the crew at Crawford Family Auctions

Mary Beckwith

November 18, 2016

Rest in Peace Big Brother!
Wish we had more time. We always think we have time. It's funny what you remember. You were the Bear and I was the mouse at Tumwater. I followed a big shadow. Both our Nick names in Highschool. LOL You will be missed.
Love your Sister Mary Ann

I will always treasure this moment

Lisa Senitt

November 18, 2016

RIP my dear Brother, I wish we had more time together to talk and to laugh, you will always hold a special place in my heart you were truly daddy's son and we will truly miss you..... please say hi for me......

Love Always Lisa

Jennifer Senitt

November 18, 2016

My big bro! I miss you so much and we had such little time I'm so lost of words I feel numb it took me so long to find u! Please give yourself and daddy a big tight squeeze and kiss from me! Thank u for watching over julia and I this morning ❤U

Rick Chapman

November 18, 2016

Ben, you helped me out a lot of times over the years with the different cars I have had not to mention so many others. You will be missed. God's speed to you! Rick Chapman

Steve Hall

November 17, 2016

mo power to ya Benny . Thank you for the help and friendship

November 17, 2016

Snobar Family,
I'm So sorry for your loss. Kids were fun at Littlerock Elementary back in the day. Thinking of you.
~Susan Warren
(Still at LR)

November 17, 2016

I went to school with Ben and remember him as a friend....RIP amigo!

Bruce Clevenger

November 17, 2016

RIP Ben...I met Ben at GH college, in the automotive class. He was a funny guy and kept us in stitches. Haven't seen him in so many years...Gods speed Ben. It was my pleasure to know you.

Bruce Clevenger GH College 1976

Mr. & Mrs. Donald Ashley

November 17, 2016

Ben you will be missed dearly.

Go n-eírí an bóthar leat

Rod Zimmerman

November 17, 2016

I graduated with Ben from high school and ran into him several times since at car shows where we shared a hobby. We would sit down and have conversations about life in general and of course cars. He will be missed.

Julie Shattuck

November 16, 2016

Ben was a friend from Tumwater High School and an amazing wrestler. I bought his 1966 VW and drove it after college. I can still see his beautiful smile.

Gary Howell

November 16, 2016

I know Ben from the Mopar world. One of the nicest people I have met. May God hold his family and friends in his hands and comfort them. May Ben rest in peace

David Radcliffe

November 16, 2016

although I have only known Ben for a short time as a parts vendor from 2008, He was always a great person to talk too about cars and parts. His knowledge was second to none. Truly a great loss to his family and Customers across the country, Godspeed to you Ben. you will be missed

Greg Dibble

November 15, 2016

I remember Ben mostly from Jr. High thru High School. I always considered him a friend. He always had a big smile. He will be missed.

Brenda Wilmoth

November 15, 2016

Sincere sympathy to Ben's family. I went to Tumwater High School with Ben. He seemed always to have a permanent smile. I am so sorry for your loss.

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