Robert H. Snodgress

Robert Harry Snodgress was born on February 24th 1937 in Black Forest, Colorado. He was the son of Joseph Benjamin Snodgress and Pauline Imogene Shephard Snodgress. At age 86, he passed away on Sunday, December 3rd 2023 in Castle Rock, Colorado. He is preceded in death by his brothers Don and Ben and his sister Kay, as well as his wives Diane and Bonnie. He is survived by his children Pam, Chris, Bob and Paul, as well as his seven grandchildren James, Don, Kelly, Ally, Drewsilla, Ben, and Katherine, not to mention 6 great grandchildren.

As a young man, “Bob”, as he liked to be called attended Kit Carson High School. He was an avid wrestler and played nearly every other sport too including basketball and football. He graduated high school in 1954. Upon completion of high school he attended La Junta Junior College and later Denver University. He studied math and science. He graduated in the spring of 1958 with a degree in Math & Science.

He entered the workforce in 1958 as well. With his degree he was able to secure a great job with a company then called Martin Marietta. He was a dedicated careerist, helping with many aerospace projects. It is very impressive to know that my Grandfather had a hand in the space race!

His first marriage to Diane Marie Cathey took place in 1956. They met while attending La Junta junior college. They were married in Lakewood, Colorado, at Diane’s parents house. From that marriage he would have three children: Pam (Dec. 31st 1957), Chris (Sept. 5th 1959), and Bob (Apr. 13th 1961).

Martin Marietta, now known as Lockheed Martin moved him and his young family around a few times. They moved to Seattle in 1966, and to Florida in 1972. He would work for them for an impressive 45 years, including consultation after his retirement. The family moved back to Colorado in 1975 in time for the children to graduate at Bear Creek high school in Littleton. Colorado was always his home. He had always dreamt of being a rancher and owning some livestock.

In his second marriage to Bonnie Faye Snodgress on Sept. the 22nd 1984, he became the stepfather to Paul Riddell. When I first met Paul I was about four years old. My family had driven all the way from to Denver to visit them in Morgan Hill near San Francisco. During the drive I recall wanting to smother my little brother Kelly because he had colic and at least one ear infection and cried the entire 24 hour drive! Paul and I ate squid on the boardwalk which is one of my earliest food memories, and we got along based on our love of legos! At that house in Morgan Hill we also had Artichoke hearts with butter at the round table in the kitchen; another of my earliest food memories. Paul graduated from Morgan Hill high school in 1989.

Upon Bob and Bonnie’s return to Colorado they endeavored to build their dream home on a plot of land south of Denver, near Sedalia. This would take several years but it had everything they ever wanted. They completed this home in the late 1990’s. The house is stunning with beautiful art everywhere, and there was a spacious barn which would be used for parties every year, and there was plenty of land for their Clydesdale horses Bill and Bob, as well as some cattle from time to time. In my teenage years, while working for my father Julius Tomasi, my cousin Don Moore and I would help repaint parts of that tremendous property which took virtually all summer.

Grandad as us kids called him was a cowboy to the bone, despite all his years of wearing fancy suits. He loved helping his neighbors with their properties and loaning out equipment whenever needed. He loved when the annual National Stock Show and Rodeo would come to town and would often take us grandkids to the Rodeo where we would always get a new lasso or some other cool cowboy/cowgirl stuff.

Bob and Bonnie were avid travelers visiting places like Spain, Germany and Monday other places; truly world travelers. He was also a deacon for several different congregations of the Church of Christ. He was very fond of fishing, taking his horses on sleigh rides, art appreciation, not to mention golf - a sport he played quite a bit with Debbie Cathey Russo and the Sunsetter's Golf Club until just a few years ago. He loved spicy food - the hotter the better, and had an extensive hot sauce collection. With sweat pouring down his face he might enjoy a nice glass of Merlot.

He lived a very full life and will be missed by his large family, friends, and many other acquaintances.

A celebration of life for Robert will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Parker Church of Christ, 11405 Pine Dr, Parker, Colorado 80138. Expressions of sympathy and fond memories of Robert may be shared with the family by visiting www.OlingerAndrews.com and leaving them on his tribute page.