Clovis Jack Snider

Clovis Jack Snider, retired physician and U.S. Army Colonel, and long-time resident of Tucson, Arizona died at the age of 86 on February 4th, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Emily Jean (Porter), their two daughters, Lauri Jean Snider (m. Michael Malone) of Fairfax, Virginia and Mary Susan Houser (m. Edgar) of Tucson, and four granddaughters: Kenna Marie and Amelia Janelle Malone, and Hannah Elice and Hattie Jean Houser. He is also survived by his younger sister, Mary June Stoddart (m. Hugh), of Castro Valley, California, and many extended family members who will miss him greatly. He was pre-deceased by his younger brother, Carl Frederick Snider.

Born in Danville, Illinois on November 9, 1928, “Jack” was the oldest child in the family of the Reverend Clovis B. and Mary Ann (Moberly) Snider. In 1943 their family moved to Tucson and Jack attended Tucson High School (class of 1946) and the University of Arizona where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree (1950). At the U- of-A, Jack ran on the track team, and in 1949 he became a founding member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, one of the first such organizations to be racially integrated. As a young man he worked in a variety of rugged outdoor jobs, including as a ranch hand and as a firefighter in the rural and mountain areas of Arizona and Wyoming. After graduating from college, he continued his education and received a medical degree from Northwestern University (1956). He completed residencies general surgery and specialized otorhinolaryngology at the Louisiana State University and the University of Michigan. In the summer of 1965, Dr. Snider and his young family moved to west Tucson and he began his private practice in the neighborhood of Saint Mary’s Hospital where he felt his service would be most beneficial to the community. He retired from private practice in 2005 but maintained his licenses for several more years in order to be prepared to respond, if needed, in times of crisis.

Dr. Snider served as a U.S. Army officer for an extended career in the active and reserve forces, He entered while in graduate school. His first active duty tour was from 1958-1962 in Germany where his assignments included the 10th Group Special Forces (Airborne) in Bad Toelz. His overseas deployments took him to the many places, including Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Based on the memories he shared, his most personally rewarding assignments were several extended tours during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in Honduras where Colonel Snider commanded a medical task force that conducted outreach missions. In that role he mentored medical professionals and staff deployed in reserve rotations and helped them gain valuable field experience. In Tucson, Colonel Snider commanded the 6251st US Army Hospital just prior to his retirement on December 1st, 1996.Beloved by friends and family, Dr. Snider will be remembered for his intellect, compassion, sense of humor, and a life committed to personal sacrifice and service. His focus was the well being of others in his community and the environment, both locally and globally. In addition to his military service and medical practice, he volunteered in many church and civic activities, supported sheltering of homeless persons, cared for veterans, and actively practiced conservation of resources, especially water. He will also be remembered with fondness for his advocacy of a healthy eating style— big breakfasts and no supper, his discipline for physical fitness, his love of music, poetry, and beautifully designed rock construction. He played string bass for many years in a local folk, gospel, and cowboy music group called the Canyonaires, and with the Tucson Fiddler’s Association, performing at care facilities, church gatherings and community events in Southern Arizona. An avid long distance runner into his late 70’s, Dr. Snider completed the Tucson Marathon several times, and participated in many other races. His favorite race was a benefit run, “Sundown at the Pass,” that passed his driveway on the route to Gates Pass.

A celebration of Dr. Snider’s life will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 9:00 AM at First United Methodist Church 915 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85719

Please contact the church office at 520-622-6482 for details. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given in Dr. Snider’s memory to:

• First United Methodist Church 915 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ 85719

• Clovis B. Snider Scholarship Fund, at Claremont School of Theology, 1325 North College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711-3199.

• Pine Canyon Camp 1701 S Downings Pass Road, Willcox, AZ 85643

• Tucson Community School 2109 E Hedrick Tucson, AZ 85719

• National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org