Fred Robert Snider's Obituary
Fred Robert Snider went peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 24, 2002. He was born August 28 in St. Louis, MO to Mary and Fred R. Snider, Sr.. Fred graduated from Sumner High School in St. Louis and after graduation, served in the United States Marine Corp and Reserves. He was initially stationed at El Toro Marine Base in California and continued to live in the Los Angeles area after his Honorable Discharge. In the 1960Â's, Fred put himself through college while working at L.A. County Hospital, selling Real Estate on weekends, and menÂ's clothing. He attended L.A. City College, UCLA, and Pepperdine University.After college, Fred was hired by IBM and Xerox as a Sales Manager, selling Word Processors, Key-punch machines, and typewriters. He was the first Black employee hired into a management position in the history of the company. Before long, he was promoted to Regional Marketing Supply Manager, and finally Sales Executive. Fred was most proud of this because he experienced such a great personal achievement. In 1979 Alpha Professional Services, Inc. recruited Fred as VP/Sales & Development because of his background as Sales Trainer with the Xerox Corporation.In 1982 Fred took on an exciting opportunity to move to Berlin, West Germany, where he traveled throughout Europe as a Financial Planning Manager selling insurance to the military and civilian community. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1988, Fred had a job lined up in Tacoma, WA with the United Armed Forces Association. He specialized in providing financial programs to the Military, selling Life Insurance, Mutual Funds, and Annuities.Fred first entered the Mortgage Business in 1993 working as a Loan Originator for Great Western Savings and later became employed as a Loan Officer for World Savings & Loan Company. He branched off to begin his own independent Mortgage business in 1997 working for Olympia Mortgage. Finally, he managed his business as Senior Loan Officer from his home residence for Magellan Mortgage.Soon after he left Germany and arrived in Tacoma, Fred became a loyal member of LakewoodÂ's Golden Eagle Social Club, a non-profit organization, for which he remained actively involved until his passing. Fred enjoyed Soul and Motown sounds of the 50Â's, 60Â's, and 70Â's and was known for his passion for jazz. He also loved to spend hours reading-always enjoyed a good book.Fred R. Snider is survived by his two daughters Shaun and Leanna, his mother Mary, sister Dorothy, step-mother Myrtle, fiancé LeAnne Gilbertson, and many loving brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and friends.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LeAnne Gilbertson at: PO Box 98843 Lakewood, WA 98498.Memorial Services will be held Saturday, November 2, 2002, 3:00 PM at the Mountain View Valley Chapel with a reception immediately following at the Golden Eagle Social Club 5808 75th St. West Lakewood.
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