HERBERT CHARLES SNYDER JR., 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at home surrounded by family. Born Feb. 23, 1934, in Fort Wayne, he was the eldest son of the late Herbert and Marjory (Burres) Snyder. Herb was a 1952 graduate of South Side High School in Fort Wayne, and a 1956 graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., where he received a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in English. Following graduation, Herb served as an active duty Navy Reserve Pilot until 1959. While serving at the Navy base in Corpus Christi, Texas, Herb met his future wife, Donna Lee Dewitt. They wed on Aug. 1, 1959, in Coronado, Calif. In 1960, Herb entered the University of Michigan Law School, earning his law degree in 1963. Herb joined Barnes, Hickam, Pantzer & Boyd (Barnes & Thornburg) law firm in Indianapolis and became a partner of the firm in 1971, serving the Indianapolis office as partner until 1986. Herb then served as partner in the Barnes & Thornburg law firm in Fort Wayne from 1986 until his retirement in 1996. Herb was a dedicated member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at Purdue University and actively supported the fraternity as an alumnus, receiving the Outstanding Alumni Award in 1975. While at the University of Michigan law school, Herb was Associate Editor of the Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif national law school honor society. Herb was presented a Sagamore of the Wabash award in 1971 for distinguished service to the state of Indiana. He was elected to the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, and contributed to the body of employment case law through several precedent-setting decisions. Herb was a pilot, a farmer, an avid tennis player and sailor. In his retirement, Herb obtained a Captain's license and was active in the Wawasee yacht club, racing sunfish and laser class on the weekends. He loved reading, attending the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Herb was a member of Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, most of his life, and a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church while a resident of Indianapolis. He served both churches as a leader and a believer, and his faith was an important part of his life. Herb was an enthusiastic supporter of education and the arts. He served on the board of trustees for Canterbury School, the board of directors for Fort Wayne Philharmonic and their pro bono labor lawyer for over 20 years, the board of directors of Arts United for Greater Fort Wayne, and was a past president of the board of trustees of The Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Up until his death Herb served as a volunteer with the Fort Wayne Literacy Alliance where he enjoyed tutoring his many students. Herb will be lovingly remembered by his children, Karen (William) Black, Kathryn Bond, Kristin (William) Schneider, and Kara (David) White; grandchildren, David, Austin, Michael and Julia Black, Charlotte and Cody Bond, Greyson and Isabel Schneider, and Alexandra and Christopher White; brother, Bruce Snyder of Fort Wayne; and brother-in-law, Lou (Nancy) DeWitt. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Donna Lee (Dewitt) Snyder. Funeral service is 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, with a celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, or The Literacy Alliance of Fort Wayne.
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Trinity English Lutheran Church450 West Washington Boulevard, Fort Wayne, Indiana
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