Charles William Snyder, June 21, 1926-December 4, 2003

Charles Snyder, 77, was born on a farm in Jackson county, Kansas, June 21, 1926 to Jesse J. and Jessie Hune Snyder. He was youngest in the family which included a sister, Arlene, and a brother, Max. The Snyders moved to Colorado where they farmed for a short time until a fire caused the loss of most of the family’s possessions. They moved then to Hillsboro, Oregon, for a new life. The children remembered that one of the first things the family did even before settling into a new home was to pack up a picnic basket and drive to the coast to see the Pacific ocean for the first time.

In his teenage years Charles had several occupations, which included working in the shipyards at night during World War II while attending Jefferson High School in Portland in the daytime. He and Esther had met in high school and were married in August, 1947. In 1951 they were ready for adventure and travel, to see the country with no set destination in mind, and to find work as they ran out of money. They quit their jobs, stored their furniture with friends and family, and took off in a homemade trailer, with sleeping bag, ice chest and a two-burner camp stove. With a road atlas and ukulele, they headed across the northern part of the United States, cooking most of their meals alongside the road and seeing all the sights they could that were free. They found people to be very friendly, often curious, and spent many nights parked in gas stations. They visited relatives in Colorado and Kansas, and though it was only September, they left Kansas in a snowstorm in order to see New England in the fall. In New York City they were disappointed to learn that Central Park was not a place for camping, so they spent a short time in a rooming house there.

The couple kept relatives advised as to where they were headed so that they could pick up mail from General Delivery in various towns as they traveled along..

This was the time of the Korean War and a draft notice caught up with them in New York. Charles explained to the draft board there that New York was not their permanent address as they were headed to St. Augustine, Florida, to live. Actually, they knew nothing about St. Augustine but recalled having heard somewhere that it was a lovely place. The people at that office then made arrangements for him to report on a certain date to the draft board in Miami, which was the closest one to St. Augustine. He [Charles] did report on the scheduled day, but as it turned out, because of a heart murmur, he was 4-F and not eligible to serve in the army after all.

Although Charles and Esther found St. Augustine to be a charming art colony, it had little opportunity for employment.

Other travelers they met suggested they go to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which was a growing community with a lot of job opportunities. They took that advice and found work immediately. Charles drove a cement truck for a quarry and Esther obtained a secretarial job at an appliance store. Although the pay was poor they lived there almost two years. Rent was free because they happened upon the chance to become house sitters in addition to their regular jobs. The only requirement was that they maintain the lawn and board up the house in the event of a hurricane. It was a lovely neighborhood. The famous singer, Kate Smith, lived across the street. In 1953 the home owners returned to Florida for the winter and the Snyders now felt ready to return to the west. Originally they had planned to settle in San Jose, California, but as they drove through it once more, it had grown much too large to suit them.

The couple stopped in Medford to see old friends and fell in love with the Rogue River, so they decided to live there instead. Charles went to work as service manager for Skinner Buick-Cadillac. Both daughters were born in Medford, and in 1958 they moved to Grants Pass where he became service manager for Kelt Chevrolet. In 1966 he became an agent for Farmers Insurance Co. and continued with that company until retiring in 1991.

Charles became associated with the Elks Lodge in 1959 and enjoyed serving on numerous committees and as a chair officer, moving along through the ranks until he was Exalted Ruler in 1966. Later he became a District Deputy, and then served as a Vice President for seven years before becoming State President of the Elks in 1986.

Over the years he and Esther continued to enjoy traveling, particularly to islands in the South Pacific and in the Caribbean. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in the year 2003.

Charles had failing health in the last few years of his life and had some severe accidents due to his loss of balance.  He was hospitalized in October, 2002, and then went into a nursing home for skilled therapy in November.  In December he moved into a foster home until he was able to return home at the end of January this year. 

 

He was so very happy to be back in his own home and made every effort to do for himself as much as possible so as not to be a burden.  He kept a cheerful attitude and spent most of his time sitting in the living room, reading.

 

On the night of December 3rd he had to be rushed to the emergency room of the hospital because of abdominal pain and bleeding.  He died within a few hours with Esther at his side. 

 

Survivors are his wife Esther; daughters Leslie Clark and Rebecca Snyder; grandsons Graeme and Drew Clark; sons-in-law Blaine Clark and Stephen Rosenbaum; and sister Arlene Snyder.  Charles was preceded in death by his brother, Max.