Ralph Leo Snyder
August 12, 1932 ~ October 11, 2018
Ralph Leo Snyder
Husband, Father, Airman. Ralph Leo Snyder, 86, MSgt USAF (Retired),
passed away peacefully at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, surrounded
by his children and close family on Thursday, October 11, 2018 following
complications from surgery. Born in Pringle Hill, PA, he was one of 12
children (three sisters and nine brothers) of the late Benjamin and Anna
Rusnak Snyder. His Air Force career spanned 20 years with service around
the world. After retiring from Active Duty he made Falls Church, Va his
home for the last 37 years. He was an avid gardner, sports fan and enjoyed
golf and crabbing. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann (Gosling)
from the UK, daughter Pat (Lakeridge, Va) sons Tom (McLean, Va) and
Gary (Alexandria, Ky), 1 sister and 3 brothers, 8 grandchildren and 4
great-grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday,
October 27 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd,
SE, Vienna, Va 22182. There will be a viewing prior to the mass at the church.
A future burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled. Ralph
requested donations be made to St. Jude Medical Center, in lieu of flowers.
Husband, Father, Airman. Ralph Leo Snyder, 86, MSgt USAF (Retired),
passed away peacefully at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, surrounded
by his children and close family on Thursday, October 11, 2018 following
complications from surgery. Born in Pringle Hill, PA, he was one of 12
children (three sisters and nine brothers) of the late Benjamin and Anna
Rusnak Snyder. His Air Force career spanned 20 years with service around
the world. After retiring from Active Duty he made Falls Church, Va his
home for the last 37 years. He was an avid gardner, sports fan and enjoyed
golf and crabbing. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ann (Gosling)
from the UK, daughter Pat (Lakeridge, Va) sons Tom (McLean, Va) and
Gary (Alexandria, Ky), 1 sister and 3 brothers, 8 grandchildren and 4
great-grandchildren. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday,
October 27 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd,
SE, Vienna, Va 22182. There will be a viewing prior to the mass at the church.
A future burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled. Ralph
requested donations be made to St. Jude Medical Center, in lieu of flowers.
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I write this with a heavy heart and tears in eyes. One word which immediately springs to mind “kindness” and my Uncle Ralph had this is abundance and loyalty. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. It was summer 1997 and I spent that summer with him and my lovely Aunt Ann. I loved our political debates that would go on into the early hours of the morning- we were poles apart politically but that didn’t matter as we had an understanding that we would hear out each others views. I had once taken a wrong greyhound trip and arrived back at the house 48 hours later. There was Ralph at 3 am in the morning with a huge map on the kitchen table – there he had mapped out my whole journey – laughing he said “Gee Sarah you went through 4 states” we laughed. The map reminded me of the maps I had seen at the Cabinet War Rooms in London – the ones used by Winston Churchill during WW2. Like myself Uncle Ralph was a reader and a collector – he taught me a great deal what more can you ask of a human being. Sometimes he would hurry into his room only to come out with some form of memorabilia or news clipping that would back up his argument – providence so to speak very few people have providence to back up an argument and for this I had great respect. I loved him dearly and that summer in 1997 will go on to be one of the happiest times of my life. I am so sorry that time will never happen again and we will never talk or debate again. Oh how cruel life can be sometimes…..I thank him for his time and taking me to places and the history of those places. My love goes to my adorable cousins, My gorgeous Aunt and his grandchildren and friends. Only faith can get your through something he also had in abundance….and I know my late Father Derek who loved Ralph also will have welcomed him in heaven. Until we meet again Ralph. Love you always Your English niece Sarah xxx
I am so sorry for your loss. May the words of our loving heavenly Father bring your family comfort and strength during this most difficult time as He promises to bring our loved ones back to life in a perfect world where there will be no more suffering or death (John 5:28-29 & Revelation 21:4).
Sad at the loss of such a proud patriotic American who served his country so well. Ralph was Most proud of his family and leaves a legacy of working hard and providing for his loved ones. He was honest and caring and loved sharing his vast wisdom about gardening and about how things worked. He will be truly missed.