Donald Snyder

DONALD ELLIFF SNYDER

Donald Snyder left this life on Friday, December 9, 2022.  He was born in Peoria IL on February 11, 1932, to Lawrence Burns Snyder and Elizabeth Elliff Snyder. He graduated from Peoria High School and in1953 received degrees in history and music from Carleton College, Northfield MN. Don completed two semesters of graduate study at the University of Chicago before being drafted into the United States Army. He served two years as an instructor at the Army Signal School, Ft. Gordon GA. On July 20, 1957, he was married to college classmate Martha Jean Rockey in Mankato MN. They were divorced some years later after raising a family.

The Snyder family lived in suburban Chicago until 1974. In that year they moved to Madison and found a home on Edgehill Drive in Shorewood Hills. In 1983 Don moved to Atlanta with his profession, where he remained for 29 years. In 2012 he returned to Madison to be closer to family, and took up residence at Capitol Lakes.

The common thread of Don’s long career was his interest in adult continuing education and related professional programs. He started out in the real estate and finance world, and eventually was able to combine his professional skills with his passion for church music. He spent the 10 last years prior to retirement as director of music and organist for a large Lutheran church in suburban Atlanta. Don was sought after for involvement in professional, community and church organizations, and he gladly served throughout his life.

Don was also able to translate his interest in history into community service through volunteer work. For 26 years Don was a docent and outreach representative for the Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University’s museum of ancient art and archaeology. For many years, he conducted courses at Emory’s Center for Life Long Learning and was a member of the university’s Emeritus College. He made seven visits to Estonia where he led courses in English for groups in Rapina and Tartu. His own thirst for learning led him to concentrated courses at the Courtauld Institute in London and archaeology seminars in Boston, Dallas, Copenhagen and Helsinki. Joining a group of like-minded Emory friends, Don traveled extensively to ancient sites in the eastern Mediterranean and west Asia.

In Madison Don was a member of the Rotary Club, the Board of the Capitol Lakes Foundation and Luther Memorial Church. He conducted courses for the Plato Society and was a strong fan of the Madison Youth Choirs. He was preceded in death by his parents and former wife. Don is survived by his son Michael (Edward Chang) Playa Vista CA, his daughter Julie (Kevin LeRoy) Fitchburg WI, two grandsons and two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2020 at Luther Memorial, 1021 University Ave., Madison.   A committal service will be held at 11 a.m. at church.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

Cress Funeral Home

3610 Speedway Rd.

Madison, WI 53705