Robert Verl Snyder
November 27, 2017

Robert Verl Snyder, age 86, of Quincy, died Monday, November 27, 2017, at 3:28 am in Illinois Veterans Home.

Robert was born on January 1, 1931 near Mt. Sterling, IL and lived his childhood on many farms in the Brown County area. His family later moved to Quincy where he attended Junior and Senior High School. He had worked for Durst Dairy before entering the Army 82nd Airborne in Ft. Bragg, NC. Robert married the love of his life, Mae McKenzie on December 6, 1952 in Quincy. In 1955 he moved with his wife and two young daughters to Waterloo, IA in the hope of getting a job at the John Deere Tractor Works. As the story goes, he was hired because he was the only person in line over six feet tall, which was a requirement for operating the hydraulics test machine. Robert operated that machine until his retirement in 1986. After the loss of his beloved wife in 1988, he returned to work at the Nestle Plant in Waverly, IA as a security guard. He worked there for another 20 years.

Robert was an avid sports fan and even though he lived in Iowa, he remained a die hard Cubs and Bears fan, and he loved his Fighting Illini Basketball. He was also an avid fisherman and loved to fish the waters of Lake Pepin near Red Wing, Minnesota and the Mississippi near Prairie Du Chien, WI. Fishing was a hobby that his wife and daughters enjoyed with him.

Robert was a long time member of the Cedar-loo Covenant Church in Waterloo, IA, where he served as a deacon, church treasurer, and chairman of the deacon board.

Robert and Mae dreamed of the day when they would return to live in Quincy after their retirement. Without his "Mazy" by his side, he decided to remain in their home in Waterloo, IA. In June of 2014, he made it back to Quincy as a resident of the Illinois Veterans' Home.

Robert loved spending time with his family, and he was happiest when family gatherings brought them all together.

Survivors include: two daughters: Brenda (Steve) Coffin of Hudson, WI; and Rebecca (Fredrick) Potter of Quincy, IL; five grandchildren: Maegan (Matt) Heindel of Madison, WI; Jared (Taylor) Coffin of St. Paul, MN; April (Adam) Owsley of Fowler, IL; Joshua (Carrie) Potter of Liberty, IL; and Justin (Stephanie) Potter of Quincy; and five great-grandchildren: Abigail, Makenzie, and Jackson Owsley; and Owen and Grace Potter.

In addition to his wife, Robert was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Pamela Snyder; and two brothers and two sisters.

Services: 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Ron Tallcott officiating.

Burial: Greenmount Cemetery

Visitation: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Memorials: American Diabetes Association

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

 

 

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