Stephen Van Hekle Snyder

1936 - 2023

Captain Stephen Van Hekle Snyder, USN (Retired), left us peacefully on September 26, 2023, in Richmond VA, at the age of 87. Steve was born in 1936 in York PA, to Garrett P. Snyder, Jr., and Elizabeth Sidney (Van Hekle) Snyder. He shared his childhood with twin brother Phillip Van Hekle Snyder and older sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Van Hekle (Snyder) Haviland, being raised in Haddonfield NJ, and later moving to York when their father became the Administrator of York Hospital. As a teenager, Steve met the love of his life, Nancy Suzanne Leader, in English class at William Penn Senior High School in York. After graduating from William Penn in 1954, he studied chemical engineering for a year at Cornell University before entering the U.S. Naval Academy through the NROTC Program. He graduated from the Academy in 1959, a member of the Fourth Company. Steve married Nancy, his wife of 64 years, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in York on June 13, 1959. A devoted couple for nearly 70 years, their marriage was a true partnership, together raising two children, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Following graduation Steve reported to the USS GYATT (DDG-1), where he served in the Engineering Department and was Engineering Officer during his third year on board. After his tour on GYATT he reported to the USS BOLD (MSO-424) as Executive Officer, and then to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA, where he earned an MS in Systems Analysis. Following a tour in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-06C), he served as Executive Officer of the USS HAROLD J. ELLISON (DD-864). Steve then served in the Bureau of Naval Personnel before reporting as Commanding Officer of the USS VREELAND (FF-1068) which was homeported in Athens, Greece in the early 1970s. It was his greatest honor to take VREELAND and her crew to "Kieler Woche" (Kiel Week), the annual Kiel Canal invitational sailing festival. Subsequent to his command tour, Steve was again assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. He then attended the U.S. Naval War College before his last assignment as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Engineering and Systems. He retired from the Navy in 1982, working as a human resources manager for PEPCO and as a consultant in the private sector.

While on active duty, Steve and Nancy made their homes in Newport RI, Charleston SC, Monterey CA, Virginia Beach VA, Kifissia Greece, and the suburbs of Washington DC. They enjoyed attending USNA Class of 1959 reunions and Steve was an active participant in class activities. After retiring, they lived in Williamsburg, Providence Forge and Richmond VA.

Steve counted among his most noteworthy accomplishments completion of the US Marine Corp Marathon in 1978 and the New York City Marathon in 1980. He eventually became a dedicated walker, clocking up to five miles daily for as long as he could. He was an avid football fan, rooting for Navy and the Washington NFL team. Steve enjoyed playing and watching golf (especially The Masters) and worked as a Starter/Ranger at the Golden Horseshoe golf course in Williamsburg for over 10 years. He devoted many happy hours to jigsaw puzzling and was tickled to see that trait pass on to some of his grandchildren.

Active in his church communities wherever they lived, Steve also volunteered for the Red Cross, rang the bell for the Salvation Army and enthusiastically supported The Seeing Eye, which provides guide dogs for blind people. He was most proud to be honored in 2006 by the Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross for donating over 23 gallons of blood, ultimately nearing 30 gallons as his lifetime donation achievement.

Steve and Nancy enjoyed traveling over their years together, and, in 2009, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family on a cruise to the Caribbean. For many years, Steve and Nancy enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren at Ships Watch in Duck NC, and for over 40 years had celebrated many anniversaries and special occasions in Capon Springs WV.

Family, friends, fidelity, and faith were what mattered most to Steve. He took pride in the passions and talents of his children and grandchildren - and his love for them was known by all. He was a generous man, a consummate gentleman and a patriot who modeled integrity, discipline, and thoughtfulness. As a dear friend so eloquently put it, Steve was a man of rare moral character - his kindness and compassion live on in us and we will forever remember him.

Steve is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter Mary Elizabeth "Mary Beth" (Snyder) Tombes and husband Robert of Richmond VA; son Stephen Van Hekle Snyder, Jr., and wife Tracy (Master) of York PA; grandchildren, Emily Suzanne (Tombes) Figley and husband Matthew of Boston MA; Rial Margaret (Tombes) Carver and husband Elliott of Manhattan, KS; Kennedy Elizabeth and Nickolas Stephen Snyder of York; and great grandchildren, Owen Brooks and Maysie Ramona Figley, and Laurel Margaret Carver. He is also survived by beloved extended family, cousins, nieces, nephews, shipmates, classmates, and co-workers.

Steve's family has entrusted his care to Bliley's Funeral Home in Richmond. A memorial service will be held at the USNA Chapel in Annapolis MD, followed by inurnment with military honors at the USNA Columbarium, on November 21st, 2023 at 10:30am. Memorial donations may be directed to The Seeing Eye, PO Box 375, Morristown NJ, 07963-0375 9 (www.seeingeye.org) or the American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone IA, 50037-0839 (www.redcross.org/donate).

Fair winds and following seas, Captain.