Robert “Bob” Snyder, 92, of Burlington, passed away Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at his home.
Bob was born July 18, 1932, in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, to Austin Joseph “Dutch” and Mary Belle (nee McVicker) Snyder. He spent his early life in Donora, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Donora High School.
On July 15, 1950, Bob married the love of his life, Cornelia Beckley. They spent 63 years together until her passing in 2012. Bob moved his family to Burlington in 1959 and had been a resident ever since.
Bob worked for J.P. Mueller & Associates when he moved to Wisconsin. He spent years traveling around the Midwest servicing analytical beam style balances used in industrial laboratories and universities at the time, a very critical and precise process, which he was uniquely qualified to do this because of his knowledge and temperament.
After years of traveling, Bob decided to purchase a business from a gentleman that was moving to northern Wisconsin. He took on the sales and service of Ski-doo snowmobiles in this area. Later, the business expanded into the sales and service of Jacobson, Gilson and GE lawn equipment and Star Craft camping trailers and accessories. During this time, he and his sons were also involved in circle track snowmobile racing in the Southern Wisconsin Snowmobile Racing Association. This took them all over Wisconsin on Sundays, oval racing snowmobiles under the “Trail Sports Center” banner.
Bob eventually took a job at Hi-Liter Graphics and became the plant maintenance manager, another job he was uniquely qualified to do because of his experience in building and fixing mechanical and electrical equipment. He retired in 1997 from the Hi-Liter after 24 years.
Bob then began working with his longtime friends Dennis, Linda and Brian Cole in the Cole’s business, Inland Lake Harvesters, helping them design and build aquatic weed harvesters. Also, after retirement he perambulated vehicles for Lynch Automotive Group, and he frequently showed up first thing in the morning at Motor Parts and Welders Supply to practice his Barista skills.
Bob enjoyed building, flying and re-kitting RC airplanes, and he was particularly good at building planes, building and designing RC cars for racing, building yard karts and minibikes for his children and their friends to enjoy. He supported us in motocross racing at Maple Hurst Raceway in Wilmot and Aztalan Raceway in Aztalan, and supported us in kart racing at Badger Kart Club He also enjoyed making stained glass windows and lamps, mowing the lawn with his National reel riding mower and Klondike Bars. He was known to always have a joke at the ready.
Bob is survived by his five children, David (Deanna) Snyder, James Snyder, Thomas Snyder, Karen Snyder-Barnett and Mark (Lynn) Snyder; grandchildren, Michael Barnett, Amy (Brian) Van Scyoc, Rebecca “Becky” (Tyler) Daniels, Matthew (Kristen) Snyder, Sarah (Royce) Heaney and Elizabeth (Michael) Fornero; and great grandchildren, Kaleigh, Aveah, Peyton and Rylan Daniels, Landon, Ava, Kora, Arya and Eleanor Snyder, Kailyn, Kyra and Ethan Van Scyoc, and Ellie Fornero. Bob is further survived by his nephews, Bob (Stella) Carson, James Beckley Jr., Jeffrey (Lynn) Beckley, Jon (Tiona) Beckley, and Jay (Nicole) Beckley; nieces, Susan (Dennis) Webb, Betsy (Mike) Bray, Cindy Danton, and Mary Kay (Silvio) Gonzalez; and his wife’s first cousin Jane Hinton.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Cornelia; parents; sister June (Gene) Carson; daughter in-law Sue (nee Ellenbecker) Snyder; niece Linda Carson; nephew Bert Dantin; sister in-law Doris (Jack) Dantin; and brothers-in-law, James (Jan) Beckley and Gene Hinton.
A private graveside memorial service will be held at a later date, when it’s much warmer.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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