Lee Snyder Eulogy

Lee Snyder was the subject of a "CHRISTIAN STANDARD Interview" in the magazine's April 27, 2008, issue. Sadly, after the magazine went to press, but before its cover date to appear in churches, Dr. Snyder died. Greg Swinney, director of Campus Christian Fellowship of Nebraska in Kearney, presented this eulogy at Dr. Snyder's funeral. We print it here, with permission.

Lewis Leroy "Lee" Snyder, was born June 16, 1949, in Columbus, Ohio, to Clarence and Georgia (Holton) Snyder.  He died Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Omaha at the young age of 58. 

Lee graduated from Kentucky Christian University, Missouri State University, and the Ohio State University. He worked his way through college by washing dishes, being the Silver Dollar City Magician, and coaching college debate.

On May 9, 1970 he married Vicki Truitt in Louisa, Kentucky. They made their home in Kentucky, then later lived in Missouri, Ohio, and Nebraska.  Lee enjoyed traveling.  Visiting San Antonio, Texas, was a highlight for him as he enjoyed dining at the local restaurants to bring home ideas for new recipes to share with friends.  Many people were delighted when he shared a jar of salsa made from peppers he had grown in his own garden.

He began teaching at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1986, where he was a professor in the department of communication at the time of his death. Lee’s expertise was in the study of why and how people change their minds.  He taught to encourage change for the better and his favorite comments from students were: “He made me think” and “He made the hard material interesting and practical.” Many of his students saw him as more than just a professor and thought of him as a mentor and friend.

More notably, Lee ministered to nondenominational Christian churches in Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, and Nebraska throughout his entire life. He served in churches as an elder, teacher, and respected leader. Like the Christ whom he loved and served, Lee was first and foremost a teacher and preacher. He loved his students and he loved to teach whether on the university campus or in a Sunday school room. His greatest lessons however, were not taught in the classroom, but by his matchless devotion to Christ, church, and family. The example he set for others through his life of faithfulness, holiness, and unselfishness was the most influential sermon he ever preached. 

Lee was committed to an intellectually rigorous and doctrinally sound form of Christianity that, as a result, was more, not less, compassionate for others. Those near him remember him as always encouraging, always thoughtful and wise, often showing another way—a more biblical way--of looking at the world and their lives in it.

As a scholar and a writer Lee published many articles in journals and magazines. His most recent work focused on preparing the church for effective ministry in the future within the context of the changing American culture.  Combining both his love for rhetorical studies and his passion for the Bible, Lee dedicated many years of his life to the writing of a three volume work, The Book of Acts According to Alexander Campbell: An Historical and Rhetorical Commentary. Bible scholars and historians throughout the nation expressed their deep gratitude for this massive undertaking.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. Lee lives on in the memory of his wife, Vicki, of Kearney, Nebraska; one sister, Sharon Hubbard and husband Larry of Springfield, Ohio; mother-in-law, Ruby Truitt of Ashland, Kentucky; brother-in-law and wife Wayne and Marianne Truitt of Cary, North Carolina; two nephews; one niece; and a host friends and former students.