Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Friday

December 28, 2012

Roderick 'Rod' William Snell

----

FREDERICK, Colo. — Roderick "Rod" William Snell, of Frederick, Colo., formerly of Beulah, Traverse City and Baton Rouge, La., passed away on Dec. 23, 2012, at Longmont United Hospital after a brief illness. Born to Margaret (MacDonald) and Robert Snell on Nov. 29, 1945, in Detroit, Rod, grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and Beulah.

He graduated from Benzie Central High School in 1963, where he was an amazing athlete. He attended Michigan Technological University and graduated in 1967 with a degree in chemical engineering.

On Sept. 7, 1968, Rod married Lynn Minello in Painesville, Ohio, and they were married for 44 years. Together they raised two children and lived a great love story until the very end.

Rod served in the United States Army from October of 1968 until he was honorably discharged after a tour in Vietnam in May of 1970.

In his younger days Rod was an outstanding athlete and enjoyed golf, baseball, swimming, tennis and football. In his retirement years he tried to play golf every day, weather permitting, and enjoyed playing pool with anyone who was willing to take him on. He did a crossword puzzle daily and liked playing poker with his golf buddies. He was also an avid reader and seemed to know something about everything. He was the handiest of men and could fix anything. He was a kind and patient man, and he taught both of his children how to golf, fish, play baseball and softball and do many other outdoor activities. He was also a friend to everyone he knew. He was someone you could always count on, a true man of his word. Rod also believed that nothing mattered more in life than family.

During his career as a chemical engineer he lived in eight states and ran various chemical plants to perfection. He also worked internationally for two years on a start-up project in Venezuela. He always told his kids, "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right," and that definitely showed in his work. He retired in early 2008 from Olin Chemicals in St. Gabriel, La., and in November of that year, Rod and Lynn moved to Frederick, Colo., to be close to their grandchildren and enjoy their retirement.

Rod is survived by his loving wife, Lynn, who was his soul mate and best friend for 44 years. He is also survived by his son, Roderick John and daughter-in-law, Katie, of Portland, Ore.; and his daughter, Kate Brown and son-in-law, Keith, of Firestone, Colo. He also leaves behind his two beloved grandchildren, who brought their Papa so much laughter and joy, Lauren and Ryan Brown. He is survived by two sisters, Linda (Neil) Nugent and Donna (George) von der Hoff; brother-in-law, Vince (Shirley) Minello; godmother, Mary Jo Minello; as well as nephews, Andy Nugent and Rob Nugent; nieces, Betsy Evans, Julie Bretzke and Sarah von der Hoff; and many cousins.

Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, at Howe Mortuary in Longmont, Colo. The family will be receiving friends at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. A military burial will take place at Fort Logan Military Cemetery on Monday at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Please visit the online obituary, sign the guestbook and leave a message or memory for the family.

Text Only