Robert Charles Snyder, 83, of Spring, passed away October 31, 2017.  He was born November 4, 1933, in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Albert and Edna Snyder.

The surest way to get Robert Snyder to do anything was to tell him he couldn't or wasn't capable.  Like many of us, when he was 15, he made some questionable decisions and was faced with the ultimatum of either going to jail or going into the military.  The choice was clear so he used his older brother's ID to join the Pennsylvania reserves with his buddies.  Knowing the danger the boys were facing they decided to all get matching tattoos on the top of their wrists of the first letter of two roads where they hung out.  Their thinking was that if they were killed in action and unidentifiable by either face or dog tag, the tattoo would identify them.

Upon arriving at boot camp, the tattoos were noticed and they were each called in to find out the meaning behind them and to ensure they weren't part of some subversive group.  Their stories all matched but it was clear that Robert was the leader of the boys and they quickly promoted him to sergeant in charge of a company of his friends.

Luckily, his time in the military ended without incident and he went on to use his GI bill to finish high school and get his degree.  He worked his way through many jobs including telegraph operator and switchman for the railroad and on to a manufacturing company helping to set quotas.  His training and extensive experience moved him through the ranks of several companies to retire as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Quanex.

Although, his accomplishments and successes were many, his greatest accomplishments include his three boys, their wives and the grandchildren.  There is no greater testimony to a man's life than the love and devotion of his family.  He will be greatly missed and none of us will be the same without him.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Louise Snyder; sons, Jeffery Michael Snyder and Gregory John Snyder and wife ; daughter-in-laws, Nicole Snyder and Rosemary Snyder; and grandchildren, Hailey Louise Snyder and Jon Paul Snyder.

Including his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Robert Raymond Snyder.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Klein Funeral Home - Champion's, Rev. Ed Kucera officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Celebration of Life