Obituary for Paul Howard Snyder
Paul Howard Snyder, age 90, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, passed away on February 1, 2024, at his home.
Paul was born on March 3, 1933, to the late Paul Hazen Snyder and the late Anna Lois (Bussell) Snyder in Owosso, Michigan.
Paul had a love of animals which began when he was very young growing up with dogs and receiving a pony and sleigh from his father when he was five. He knew from that early age that he wanted to be a veterinarian. He attended Michigan State University from 1951-1957 graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He began his veterinarian career in 1957 and opened his first solo practice in Fremont, Michigan, in 1960. When he married his wife Patti in 1986, he moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and owned the Animal Hospital until his retirement in 2004. He was known for his compassion and gentleness with his patients.
Paul had many interests and enjoyed his work as a U.S. Track & Field Official, served on the CMU Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, and was an Ambassador for the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was an active member of the Mid Michigan Woodcrafters Club and looked forward each year to handcrafting wooden toys for the local Christmas outreach program. An avid gardener, Paul was a member of the MSU Extension Master Gardeners. He served on the Board of Regional Health Care in Baldwin, Michigan, and was a consulting Board Member of the St. Louis Zoo. He was a lifelong member of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Paul and Patti enjoyed being home with their pets, working in the yard, home projects and traveling. He also enjoyed sports dating back to his high school days on football, basketball and track teams and he was an avid reader.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Patricia Ann Block, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Paul is also survived by his children Carrie Lee of Chippewa Lake, Michigan, Skylar Phoenix “Matt” of Soldotna, Alaska, Jeff Snyder of Curtis, Michigan, and Andy (Patty Gallo) Snyder of LeRoy, Michigan, grandchildren Corey Snyder, Tyler Snyder, Owen Snyder, Ryan Snyder, Philip Snyder, Leah Snyder, sister-in-law, Linda Eyer, brother-in-law, Lanny Eyer, niece Katie Eyer, brother-in-law, Bruce Block and sister-in-law, Ellie Jones as well as numerous cousins.
In accordance with Paul's wishes, cremation has taken place. In memory of Paul, all are invited to stop by on Friday, April 26th between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to celebrate his life by sharing memories, a cup of coffee and pastry. The memorial will be held in the Reflections Reception Center attached to the Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Paul may consider MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Isabella County Humane Animal Treatment Society (H.A.T.S.) or Chippewa Watershed Conservancy.
Paul was born on March 3, 1933, to the late Paul Hazen Snyder and the late Anna Lois (Bussell) Snyder in Owosso, Michigan.
Paul had a love of animals which began when he was very young growing up with dogs and receiving a pony and sleigh from his father when he was five. He knew from that early age that he wanted to be a veterinarian. He attended Michigan State University from 1951-1957 graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He began his veterinarian career in 1957 and opened his first solo practice in Fremont, Michigan, in 1960. When he married his wife Patti in 1986, he moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and owned the Animal Hospital until his retirement in 2004. He was known for his compassion and gentleness with his patients.
Paul had many interests and enjoyed his work as a U.S. Track & Field Official, served on the CMU Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee, and was an Ambassador for the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was an active member of the Mid Michigan Woodcrafters Club and looked forward each year to handcrafting wooden toys for the local Christmas outreach program. An avid gardener, Paul was a member of the MSU Extension Master Gardeners. He served on the Board of Regional Health Care in Baldwin, Michigan, and was a consulting Board Member of the St. Louis Zoo. He was a lifelong member of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. Paul and Patti enjoyed being home with their pets, working in the yard, home projects and traveling. He also enjoyed sports dating back to his high school days on football, basketball and track teams and he was an avid reader.
Paul is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Patricia Ann Block, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.
Paul is also survived by his children Carrie Lee of Chippewa Lake, Michigan, Skylar Phoenix “Matt” of Soldotna, Alaska, Jeff Snyder of Curtis, Michigan, and Andy (Patty Gallo) Snyder of LeRoy, Michigan, grandchildren Corey Snyder, Tyler Snyder, Owen Snyder, Ryan Snyder, Philip Snyder, Leah Snyder, sister-in-law, Linda Eyer, brother-in-law, Lanny Eyer, niece Katie Eyer, brother-in-law, Bruce Block and sister-in-law, Ellie Jones as well as numerous cousins.
In accordance with Paul's wishes, cremation has taken place. In memory of Paul, all are invited to stop by on Friday, April 26th between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to celebrate his life by sharing memories, a cup of coffee and pastry. The memorial will be held in the Reflections Reception Center attached to the Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in memory of Paul may consider MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Isabella County Humane Animal Treatment Society (H.A.T.S.) or Chippewa Watershed Conservancy.