Ralph Wallace Snyder III

Ralph Wallace Snyder III, age 67, surrounded by his family, left this earth peacefully in his home on January 24, 2025. He courageously fought a battle with pancreatic cancer, while maintaining his trademark fun-loving and joyous attitude. 

Ralph was born June 20, 1957 at a U.S. Air Force hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. He and his family moved to the States and settled in Virginia when he was less than a year old. Ralph attended Chowan College, NC, and transferred to Oklahoma State University, where he earned a degree in criminology. He later returned to school to earn a master's degree in finance at Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA. 

In 1982, Ralph met his wife, Laura, in a backpacking class in Belmont Shores, CA. Ralph said he knew she was the girl for him when he learned they shared the same sense of humor along with their love of the outdoors. They married in May of 1988 and settled in Ventura County, CA. They then welcomed a son, Adam in 1994. 

Ralph spent much of his career with the U.S. Department of the Interior. He started as an Offshore Inspector in the Pacific Region, Office of the Environment. His role entailed flying to offshore drilling rigs by helicopter almost daily. In 1989, Ralph transferred to the Los Angeles office and eventually the Camarillo office, where he worked as an Environmental Protection Specialist. In 2003, Ralph and his family moved to Colorado, where Ralph worked as a Minerals Revenue Specialist for the U.S. Department of the Interior until his retirement in 2017. 

Ralph loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, and hunting. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle. However, his passion for shooting sports superseded them all. Ralph was an avid promoter of IDPA (International Defense Pistol Association). He enjoyed all types of competitive shooting and often traveling out of state to participate in matches. Ralph was a NRA Instructor and Range Safety Officer. He loved sharing his knowledge and helping others improve their skills. Ralph was a conversationalist and made friends everywhere he went. He had a positive and optimistic attitude to the very end. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph W Snyder Jr. and Kathleen Snyder; sister, Pamela Lytle; and nephew, Mark Lytle. 

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Laura Snyder; son, Adam Snyder and his fiancée Hailey Mullen; niece, Amy Rhodes and her husband Steve; and the Snyder’s beloved dog, Finley. 

Ralph will be missed by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace. His celebration of life will be held at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Rd., Centennial, CO, on Friday, February 28th from 2 to 4 PM. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged to be worn for the service!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ralph to the American Cancer Society online