John "Jack" Ralph Snyder

John ‘Jack’ Ralph Snyder peacefully passed away on the evening of July 11, 2023, surrounded by his wife Jennifer (Holycross) and children. Jack was born June 24, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to Margaret (Considine) Snyder and Jack T. Snyder. He was brother to Susan and Tim and earned the name Bo since Sue could not say brother. Those in the Gary and the surrounding areas still refer to him as such. Having served as President of his Senior class and earning All-State Honors in football, he graduated from Horace Mann High School in 1958. With a footlocker in tow, Jack boarded a train to Brown University where he obtained his undergraduate degree in economics. He picked up a new to him sport, lacrosse, and played on the Delta Kappa Epsilon ice hockey team as goalie. The position “that required the least amount of skating!” He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Jack was destined to enter the family newspaper business in Gary after graduation but was “thrown into the job market” when his family sold the Gary Post-Tribune to Ridder publications, now Knight-Ridder. Instead, he accepted an offer in 1968 from Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan, later Ice Miller, in Indianapolis. He spent his entire career with this firm and ultimately served as a Managing Partner for a period of years retiring at the end of 2003. He loved practicing law and excelled as he made central his focus the person he was representing. He valued mentoring and impacted the lives of so many young lawyers—none of whom are very young anymore—who still daily draw on things learned from Jack.

Jack was the proud father of John (J.T.), Hilary, Alison, and Alfred (mother, Barbara Goins Snyder), and stepfather to Taryn and Hannah Welch. He was grandfather to 13 and great-grandfather to 4. He coached several of his children’s youth sports teams through the Catholic Youth Organization and Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and frequented the sidelines of his grandkid’s games.

While Jack’s accomplishments run deep in his professional career and are too numerous to mention here, a few are central. As part of a larger community effort, Jack actively battled racism by legally seeking desegregation of the Riviera Club in 1980 after the drowning of a young boy who was denied entrance into the club based on the color of his skin. Jack began legal work for Tony Hulman and for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1977. Soon thereafter, he was asked to be part of the Board of Directors of the Speedway and served in that capacity until 2019. Jack served as general counsel to the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc. until 1995. In 1992, Jack was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Marian University, Chair between 1999 and 2004, and finally, Chairman Emeritus in 2009. He was involved in several crucial decisions that pivoted the then College to a strong University, including chairing the Steering Committee that brought the medical school to campus.

Jack’s philanthropic efforts extended to the Board of directors of the Flanner House of Indianapolis, Life Director of the Regenstrief Foundation and Regenstrief Institute, The Indiana Academy, and the FBI Citizens Academy.

Jack was an avid runner, frequently participating in the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon each May and conquered the Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Wisconsin. He enjoyed reading, photography, fishing, and of course, auto racing. He was active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church for more than 50 years.

Visitation at Marian University, Allison Mansion, from 4 – 7pm, Wednesday, July 19, and from 9 – 9:45, Thursday, July 20th, 2023, in the Chapel just before the mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Bishop Chartrand Memorial Chapel, Marian University, at 10am on Thursday, July 20th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Regenstrief Institute at https://www.regenstrief.org/give/ or Riley Children’s Foundation at https://rileykids.org/ways-to-give, in honor of Jack.

Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. To share a memory, condolence, or to make a memorial contribution, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.