Harold I. "Hal" Snyder

Harold I. "Hal" Snyder, 93, of Dover died Thursday, June 18, 2015 at his home following a sudden illness.

Born on October 15, 1921 in North Canton, he was the son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Ruth T. (Lantry) Snyder. His father passed away when Hal was four years old. At the age of 13, he went to work for John Prenot, former editor of the Louisville Herald, and that is how he earned his way through high school. He graduated from Louisville High School in 1940. Soon after graduation, he was drafted by the United States Army. He was led under General Patton during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and the Normandy Invasion.

Curiosity, passion, and a strong drive are what led Hal to success throughout his life. He believed that you should learn what you are taught and apply it. He attended Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Institute of Art, Ohio State University, and the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida.

Following the war, he worked for his father in-law at Cardinal Products. When the company moved to New Philadelphia Hal designed the building, which is now the Timken Building in New Philadelphia. Cardinal Products closed in 1950. He incorporated in 1951 and his new company became Snyder Manufacturing. The company is still owned and operated by his son, Dennis. The laminator that Hal designed continues to operate in the business today. He also owned the former Snyder Laboratories, which is now Zimmer. It was there that he designed the Snyder Hemo-Vac, a medical machine that is used in hospital facilities today. He also created several protective apparel products.

He owned many other companies including; Snyder Computer, Snyder Oil and Gas, Snyder Development, where he enjoyed operating a D-8 dozer.

He was a pioneer entrepreneur and inventor. Some of the products that he invented were the Hoover sweeper bags, child swimming pools, crash dash pads for Oldsmobile cars, fuel handler suits for NASA, Isolation cells and suits for the Atomic Energy Commission, and toy airplanes for the Buckie Beaver promotional campaign. He was a gentle giant. He was a quiet man but when he spoke, he spoke volumes.

In 1967 Hal began a state of the art Thoroughbred and Arabian breeding and training facility in Dover, Ohio. He raised horses for premier Thoroughbred racing and owned several top notch champions in racing and showing. He raised hay in Tusky to supply farms in Ohio, Kentucky, and New York racetracks.

Hal will be missed by his wife, Marilynn (Mansill) Snyder, whom he would have celebrated 57 years of marriage on October 19, 2015; three children, Dennis (Lori) Snyder of New Philadelphia, Kristine (James) Snyder-Ransom of Fairfax, Virginia; Charlene Snyder of Dover; former wife, Donna Williams of Dover; sister Nan Mueller of Washington State; along with many nieces nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, May Snyder Richardson, and his brother, Alfred Dickey.

A celebration of Hal's life will be held at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 2:00 pm with Celebrant Kevin O'Brien officiating. Burial will follow at Dover Burial Park where the Dover VFW will conduct military honors. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Monday, June 22, 2015 from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. Those unable to attend, or who would like to share a fond memory of Hal may do so by visiting the "Obituaries & Flower's" link on the funeral home's website.

Memorial contributions in Hal's name can be made to any charity of the donor's choice.