Memorial services for 76-year old retired dentist Dr Gene Snyder will be Sat, May 22, 2021, at 2:00 PM at Gordon-Rushville Middle School in Rushville, NE
A memorial has been established to benefit the Smith Lake Wildlife Area.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com.
Woodallen Gene Snyder was born on May 22, 1944 in Gordon, Nebraska, the second of three children of Woodrow L. and Charlyn G. Watson Snyder. He died February 12, 2021 at the age of 76 years in the Cheyenne, Wyoming hospital.
Gene grew up on a ranch south of Rushville, NE on Pine Creek and attended elementary school grades 1-8 at District 98, known as the Mill School. Gene graduated from Rushville High School in 1962 and attended Chadron State College, playing football at both schools.
After attending Chadron State for 3 years, he went on to receive his Doctor of Dentistry degree in 1969 from the University of Missouri Dental School in Kansas City, MO. While there, Gene met the love of his life, Carol Sue Ward, and they were married on August 19, 1967 in Burlington, KS. Three children were born to this union, Brian Gene, Kevin Dean and Angela Lynn.
Gene set up his first dental practice in 1969 in Bassett, NE, but in 1970 moved his practice to Rushville and served patients from a large surrounding area. Carol worked with him as secretary/bookkeeper until they both retired in 2011.
Former patients often remarked about the size of his hands and how he would always ask questions when he had his hands in your mouth. A toothache requiring attention after-hours or on a weekend would most likely mean meeting him in his hunting or fishing clothes, if you were lucky enough to reach him.
Gene aka Doc, Geno, Tinkerbell or Tooth Fairy, was a big man with a gruff voice disguising his teddy bear interior. He loved his family, hunting, fishing and gardening. He enjoyed following his grandsons’ activities and even more liked taking them hunting or fishing. As Gene was telling of their accomplishments you might see a tear rolling down his cheek.
He had a great time on hunting and fishing trips with friends. If the weather prevented them from going out on the lake, the cards came out and the stories and laughter abounded.
Gene raised a huge garden every year. It was his pride and joy and provided vegetables of every variety for family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, sons Brian (Colette) of Rushville NE, Kevin (Angela) Topeka, KS, daughter Angela, Chadron, NE and 8 grandsons, Cole Witt, Riley Snyder, Tegan Snyder, Kazden Snyder, Talon Snyder, Slade Snyder, Hunter Townsend and Gunnar Townsend. Also surviving are brother-in-law Gerald Flaherty Thornton, CO, brother Ronnie (Jean) Rushville, NE, sisters-in-law Donna Schif, Bonner Springs, KS, Maxine Haverfield Shawnee, KS, uncle Donald Watson, Kalispell, MT, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Charlyn Snyder, son-in-law Roger Townsend, sister Twilyn Snyder Flaherty, brothers-in-law, Larry Schif and Ken Haverfield, one nephew and two nieces.
Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home of Gordon, NE, is in charge of arrangements for Dr Gene Snyder.