Wilbur Ray Snider's Obituary
Big Rapids - Dr. Ray Snider, 84, of Big Rapids, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri passed away Monday, August 19, 2013, in Big Rapids. He was born April 16, 1929 in Campbell, Missouri, the son of Wilbur and Ena (Cashdollar) Snider. Ray worked his way through college in the late 1940's and early 1950's playing violin at parties and dances around Detroit. During his studies at the University of Michigan, Ray was a member of the Galens Honorary Medical Society, and he graduated in 1955 with his M.D. In 1957, he married Ann Conner, whom he met during his surgical internship and residency at Kansas City General Hospital. After his residency, he served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander and Chief Surgeon at Whidbey Island, Washington. In 1974, Ray joined the surgical faculty at the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Medicine. During what was easily the most rewarding period of his life, from 1975 until his retirement, Ray doubled as Chief Surgeon for Truman Medical Center (formerly Kansas City General) and as Chairman for the Department of Surgery at the School of Medicine of U.M.K.C. He loved working with other dedicated colleagues in the training of surgeons, conducting early applications of laser surgery, and co-chairing (with Drs. Francis Moore and J. Thompson) the First International Symposium on General Surgery in Beijing, China (1986). It was through his work with Chinese surgeons that he met his long-time friend, Dr. Shujun Li. He is remembered by his students and colleagues for his humor as much as for his intensity and honesty. Upon his retirement, Ray and Mary Ann spent many wonderful years in Santa Fe, NM, where Ray enjoyed playing northern New Mexican folk music on his violin, joking with friends, watching the sunsets on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and having visits from his children and grandchildren. In his final years, he moved to Big Rapids, MI to be closer to his son and to cheer on the Wolverines (especially the band) every Saturday. Dr. Snider is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 56 years; one daughter, Elissa (Dat) Nguyen of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; one son, Grant (Deborah) Snider of Big Rapids; three grandchildren, Jonah, Iris, and Isabelle. He was preceded in death by his parents and father- and mother-in-law Fred and Luella Mae Conner. Donations in his memory may be made to the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation, which helps fund the medical expenses of the needy, at http:/tmcgiving.com/. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
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