Eugene W. Snyder

BARBERTON -- Eugene W. Snyder, age 93, completed a life lived exceptionally well on Sunday, March 20, 2022. He passed away peacefully at his home, hand-in-hand with Fran, his wife of almost 50 years, and surrounded by family members. He will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle. He was a true friend to many, always ready with a listening ear. He was a great mentor and advisor to many more, a font of sound advice that was offered, but never pushed on anyone. Known as Gene to his friends and colleagues, he was Mr. Snyder or Coach to thousands of elementary, junior high, and high school students. His career in education spanned portions of seven decades, including work as a physical education and classroom teacher, elementary and junior high school principal, and as an administrator and superintendent. Gene was small of stature, but a commanding presence in any situation, and always fashionably dressed and groomed to perfection. At his core, Gene was the consummate educator. No lesson or task was too small not to be done correctly, or as well as possible. He truly believed in the philosophy of “practice makes perfect.” If doing 10 repetitions was the best way to learn a skill, then doing 20 was better. But 30 were probably best.  He taught by “leading and doing,” not just talking. Eugene William Snyder was born in the “old” Barberton Hospital on September 17, 1928. The second of Frank and Audrey Snyder’s four children, he was raised on the family farm near Manchester, Ohio. He learned early the value of hard work, a love for animals and the beauty of nature, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Those first lessons included caring for an old coal mine pony named Dick, and Betty, his own pony. He grew strong baling hay and threshing grain, mucking out animal stalls and pens, shucking corn, hoeing long garden rows, and milking Lady Star, the family cow. Gene attended Manchester High School, where he played many sports, lettering in football and basketball. He was president of the Class of 1946, the school’s third graduating class. He went on to study at Kent State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1949. He would return to KSU later to earn a master of education degree in 1954. Gene’s long career as a professional educator began in 1949. He was hired as a physical education teacher, with coaching duties, at Rose Elementary School in Barberton. However, his second year as a teacher was interrupted by the Korean War. He was drafted by the Army in January 1951. Assigned to the Corps of Engineers, he served in both Korea and Japan. During his time overseas he honed his teaching skills, working as part of unit that taught reading to less fortunate GI’s. Gene’s oldest daughter, Patreece, was born while he was in Japan. He would not meet her until he got home, and she was 18 months old. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant, and then returned to work in the classroom at Rose School. During his years as a coach at the elementary and junior high levels, Gene was the “first coach” of several Barberton athletes who went on to greater fame, including Dave Cooper, Ken and John Mackovic, Don Kotnik, and Marco Burnette. He began his career as an administrator in 1957, when he was named the principal at Rose School in 1957. In 1958, the school was renamed Santrock to honor Nora Santrock, the school’s longtime principal, and Gene’s mentor. He was principal for three years at Highland Junior High before moving on to an assistant superintendent position for the Barberton Public Schools. In 1971, Gene began a 10-year stint as Superintendent for Coventry Local Schools in Summit County. He “retired” in 1981, after logging 32 years of service as an educator. He and Fran then moved to Naples, Florida, in search of new adventures. As Gene told the story, he spent a year as a “beach bum,” before going back to work as a sales representative for the Neff Construction Company. But the siren call from the world of education was too intense. After six years in the business world, his love for education lured him back to schools. Gene “un-retired” and went to work as an administration specialist for the Collier County School District in south Florida. During the next 10 years, he coordinated adult education, guidance, and dropout prevention programs for Collier County schools. He also served as a principal and interim principal for several new elementary schools in the fast-growing area. Gene “retired” again in 2002, with a resume that included 42 years as an educator. New adventures beckoned. Gene and Fran became “halfbacks,” moving north to Westminster, South Carolina, where they lived an active, but relaxed, 11 years. They traveled throughout North America and Europe, including a special trip to the Holy Land. But the appeal of “home” was strong. Weather be damned, they decided to return to their roots and moved back to Barberton to be close to family, especially six great-grandchildren. But their South Carolina home sold quicker than expected. They arrived back in Ohio welcomed by a freezing January blizzard. Regardless, the circle was complete: Ohio to Florida to South Carolina to Ohio. It only took 34 years! Gene was an avid reader, a lover of fine food and drink, and an accomplished gardener in every habitat he called home. He was an active member and elder of many church congregations during his life, most recently at Mogadore United Methodist, where Fran is the pianist. Since 1960, Gene was an active member of Kiwanis International, contributing his time and skills to the Barberton Noon-Day, Portage Lakes, Naples-on-the-Gulf (where he was a past-president), and the Magic City clubs. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, and by sisters Phyllis (Schultz), Joanne (Auman), and brother, Bruce. He is survived by Frances (Herrington), his loving wife; daughters Patreece (Dennis) Welser, Susan Hankla, and Laurie (Conrad) Storad. Gene will be greatly missed by his 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and will forever be in the hearts of his family members and many wonderful friends living near and far around the country. A celebration of Gene’s life-well-lived will take place on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at Mogadore United Methodist Church, 3828 Mogadore Road, Mogadore, Ohio 44260. Service at 11 a.m. For those wishing to express condolences in person, the family will receive guests at the church at 10 a.m. To honor Gene’s memory, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mogadore United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, or to the Magic City Kiwanis/Esther Ryan Endowment Shoe Fund, in care of the Barberton Community Foundation. A private ceremony will be held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The Snyder family also gives special thanks to the nurses at Summa Barberton Hospital, 1 East, and to the professional caregivers working for Crossroads Hospice. The kind and loving care you provided Gene will always be appreciated.

A livestream of the service can be viewed on the Mogadore United Methodist Church's YouTube page.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_BE1dLtJwAbyB5R-1cAMw/videos

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