Robert E. Snyder

Robert Edwin Snyder (aka Sarge, Bobby, Silver Fox and he called himself Hillbilly Bob Snyder), 82, passed away Tuesday, May 31st at his residence in Junction City, KS.

Bobby Snyder, was the oldest of four boys, and grew up in Tyro, North Carolina on the family farm of his parents, Edwin and Juanita Snyder. As a young boy, he worked hard and long hours for his father, attended school and played sports. His father always made sure he could get the work done in time to participate in sports, and he excelled in basketball and baseball.
He surprised his mother when he walked into his high school graduation in Reeds NC sporting a wedding ring. That is when she had discovered that he had snuck out of town and married his high school sweetheart Peggy Davis.

Bobby worked driving a milk truck for 2 years after graduation. He then joined the Army in 1952, where he earned decorations for his service including the "Bronze Star" for meritorious service in a combat zone. Sarge retired from the service in 1977 and met the love of his life, Avo Sells Gay. They owned and operated the Homestead Motel in Junction City, KS, and Ole Sarges Bait and Tackle in Milford, KS, until they retired in the year 2000.

Bob and Avo were like salt and pepper; she was pepper and he was salt. Love, lots of laughter and the occasional spat made for a full and active life. Sarge spent his time hunting and fishing as much as possible. He cooked what hunted and that included rabbit, squirrel, quail, pheasant, deer and an occasional elk. Nothing was better than his fried fish. Avo fussed and cleaned up after him in the kitchen. Together they made Southern comfort food, barbeque, corn bread, pinto beans, biscuits and gravy, and red slaw.

They enjoyed traveling together to visit family and friends in North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Many trips were planned to include babysitting grandchildren. Sarge was happy to drive the car, RV or take a plane.

His farming roots were deep seeded. Sarge always had an amazing garden that included the best tomatoes ever eaten, strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, peppers, corn, beans ,greens and as he would say "taters". He loved growing fruits and vegetables almost as much as he loved sharing them with others.

Hillbilly Bob enjoyed watching sports on TV and had every sports package available. College Sports and professional baseball were his favorites. North Carolina Tarheels was his #1 team and Kansas State was a close #2. He was a season ticket holder for KSU women's basketball and was often seen at football games sporting his purple and white striped overalls. The KC Royals kept him happily entertained in 2015 with the pennant win.

Sarge had a unique sense of style that included overalls (with a pouch of Red Man in the pocket), tie-dye shirts and was rarely seen without a sweat stained ball cap on his full head of snow white hair. His go to was typically John Deere, and his collection of hats included Kansas State, RAMMAX, Forbus General Store and Homestead Auto Sales to name a few. He wore his "Retired Army Veteran and Vietnam Veteran" hats with pride. Bob was thankful for the recognition long overdue for the service he and his peers now receive for their duty and service to this country in Vietnam.

He enjoyed having lunch and conversation with his friend's at Stacy's in Grandview Plaza and the Geary County Community hospital cafeteria several times a week.

Hillbilly Bob Snyder. A kind, loving and generous man who will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Bobby "Sarge" is preceded in death by his parents, Eldred and Juanita Snyder; wife Avo Snyder; a son, Hal Gay; daughter in-law Karen Snyder; and grand-daughter Lisa Snyder.

He is survived by his son Tim Snyder of Rockledge, FL; son John Gay and wife Karen of China Springs, TX; daughter Vickey Lee (Gay) Halsey of Hood River, OR; son Charlie Gay and wife Shelly of Junction City, KS; daughter Lona (Gay) Alexander and husband Bob of Stilwell, KS; three brothers, Don Snyder and wife Carol of Tyro, NC; Charles Snyder and wife Suzanne of Wake Forest, NC; Mike Snyder and wife Theresa Tyro, NC; grand-daughter Jennifer (Gay) Keating and husband Mark of Overland Park, KS; grand-son Jordan Gay of Aurora, CO; grand-daughter Leigh-Anne (Snyder) Breedlove and husband Patrick of Orange Park, FL; grand-son Robert Alexander of Canyon Lake, CA; grand-son Dillon Rotter of Portland, OR; grand-daughter Mackenzie Alexander of Ogden, KS; grand-daughter Emily Gay of Tulsa, OK; grand-daughter Rachel Nordstrom of Sioux Falls, IA; Great grandchildren Kaylen and Karrie Waltz of Summerville, SC; and last but not least his 8lb poodle, Buddy.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 5, 2016, 6:00 PM to 8:00PM at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 203 N. Washington St., Junction City, KS.

A celebration of Sarge's life will be held Monday, June 6, 2016 at 10:00AM at Highland Baptist Church, 1407 St Mary's Rd., Junction City, KS.

Interment will follow at the Kansas Veteran's Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road Manhattan, KS, where he will be laid to rest with his loving wife Avo.

Family requests donations of remembrance to Home Health and Hospice Geary Community Hospital in lieu of flowers, left in care of the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home 203 N. Washington St., Junction City Kansas.


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