Memorial
Roy Eugene Snell, 82, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at his home Saturday, August 20, 2016. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 from 4-6pm at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories Stateroom. Private family burial on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Roy was born on July 14, 1934 in Butler, Missouri to Roy M. and Marie (McDaniel) Snell. He was united in marriage to Helen Marie Cook on June 10, 1956 in Monticello, IL. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Illinois State University in 1956. After graduation he was granted a faculty assistantship in the Industrial Arts Department. In January 1957 he was drafted into the US Army where he was trained in electronics systems and analysis. After 2 years in the Army, he worked for the company working on the Nike/Zeus missile system where he was in charge of writing the technical instructions for maintenance. In 1962 he began working for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, where he eventually became manager of Government Avionics Training. In that role, he enjoyed working with customers from all over the world. Roy was active in the community as a PTA President, President of the Washington Wrestling Booster Club, and with the Boy Scouts of America. He and Helen rarely missed their kid’s sports and events. He was very detail oriented in everything he did. Among many projects he built a family room addition that was featured in Popular Science Magazine in 1976. After a 35 year career at Rockwell-Collins he retired. He then enjoyed traveling, especially where the grandchildren resided. He was a big kid when it came to the grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and golfing in is free time.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Helen; their children Jeff (Teri) Snell of North Liberty, Judd (Jill) Snell of Chanhassen, MN, and Judith Buchert of Cold Spring, KY; 8 grandchildren: Jacob, Joshua, Isis, Matthew, Katti, Heidi, Bo and Brooke; three great-grand children; and brothers Harvey and Kenneth Snell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Donald, a baby sister, and two sister in laws.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Above and Beyond Hospice in Monticello, IA.