Jeffrey Stuart Snyder

For anyone fortunate enough to have met or have known Jeff, you might likely come away thinking, here was a Mensch (a purest example of a good man, of humility; one in whom next, came his thoughts, of others; or you might surmise he regarded your ideas as any man of humility might— Jeff deferring his own observations (contributions) be may have within informal discourse or as evidence-based, scientific observation would-- then invite you to challenge his comments; happily buoyed up with research and rigor: yet, if he did not know the answers to questions he posed he might readily say he likely didn't know any answers either.

As Jeff was as well, a seeker of truth-- asking questions of those whom he loved for instance, in Torah (Bible) Studies so that likewise he would look for as well, encourage your input as, a fellow.

So that Jeff considered himself and within the much larger realm of that which is unknown to all of us-- a Student. Or as Geoffrey Chaucer in the fifteenth century once described, a pilgrim in The Canterbury Tales (as the modern English conveys), “gladly would he learn and gladly teach,” from which, we may gather that as all good men are seekers (living well examined lives). Then as Jeff suggested, all seekers are likewise Students (since no one (yet) has all the answers; or as Jeff would humbly tell you, he is among the throngs of people who, “do not know,” and yet he is shown to be among those who steadily may travel, towards light gathering speed yet no one, exceed it. Meaning, so much has been discovered in the fifty years since I first met Jeff (in the mid-1970’s when

Mariner 10 launched to then travel towards Mercury and yet, simultaneously we all know more than anyone who had ever lived so the concept of black holes was only a theory no one on earth had proven existed; (not even Albert Einstein) could state with certainty, in 1975) yet now (in 2026) there is evidence, of vast possibility that repeats as in the words of perhaps any story repeated many times throughout human generations, of “the boy” (young man) wanting to impress “the girl” he just met.

And the truth is in fact: he did, end of story.

In fact, how being here (and also, as teachers and students) has brought us all practically headlong into the future our children may even one day help create.

And as we can now learn facts (derived from concrete evidence) of Einstein’s “space-time,” that we can know exists, as something in our world is now proven, not merely surmised. It is thrilling to have lived at the inception of that age actually; as it seemed, Jeff yet hedging his bets examined in his lifetime.

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This is but a mere introduction to the life of one man who as well sought God (critically yet as an avocation began linking “religion” with “science”; all of which is to say: as he sought to learn then teach others (in our community) science, physics, and/or music theory (he composed as well as played, piano keyboard and percussion; who as the man he was showed unique perception; as a Jewish man who was also played keyboard for Real Life Church (in Falmouth) who studied from Tanakh and the New Testament; it was not actually his day-job; Jeff was a student at Tufts University, and Suffolk, and also Boston College; as someday, Jeff’s life can be continued or summed up and with our memories of him intact; as likely memory suffices.

Meaning then (in 2024, as his illness began, then retreated then swung back I realized, that facing his illness down as he did also, took courage. But simply because

was afraid yet at age 81 approached the end of this life, with resolve. Or as it is said, that the first law of thermodynamics dictates that nothing is created nor destroyed, perhaps that informed his courage. As a retired Federal Civil servant of over 40 years (as an industrial health scientist, he had also volunteered with passion as a math teacher for example, at Stafford Junction (a local non-profit, religious-based program; his students had registered as SCPS students in the county of Stafford where Jeff and his family had settled.

Or perhaps, there was even some closure; according to at least one theory that past, present, and future exist and simultaneously with each other; that last week, just as Jeff and his future wife three generations ago, in April 1975, were sitting at a table in a community center, a pottery class soon underway, as Mariner 10 was on its way to Mercury.

Soon, we are not yet at the point of seeing the improbable existence, of black holes, and all as Jeff is seeing his daughter, in March 2026, both now taking their seats at yet another kitchen table, Jeff reading from Patricia Daniels’ 2015 book, The New Solar System. He bought it for his grandchildren who are now asking him questions about space travel, and as he is learning in school about Io and all as past, present and future keep colliding. And as Jeff’s life, is truly not destroyed but lives on, in a next iteration. Or

perhaps this is all merely something a good man can control, so for a man of humility truly may suffice, or can, at least he sees dying as less of a fearful thing and good people, as less angry or at least, comforted so in far less pain, or perhaps is the peace we pray we

will someday see, feel no pain and thus be free of; or as those closest to Jeff in life still hear and Jeff can as well (or, as hearing as they say “is the last sense to go,” still hears the louder, laughter of children gathering at the table now.

A Funeral Service will be held at Beth Sholom Temple, 805 Lyons Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22406, on March 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm.