Monday, March 24, 2025
Rab Snider was my second father – and the Sniders by second family -- while growing up in Fairmont. He and Patty would discuss many things with us kids while they sat in the loungers and we on the couch and the floor in their living room. Discussions were always warm, funny and educational. My wife Joanne accurately recalls: “The Sniders’ house always felt like home!” We shared a love of sports and saw each other at countless Fairmont Senior High School basketball games. And his love and devotion for Fairmont State College athletics was one of the highlight of his later years. My fond memories are countless at 1217 River Road – holiday cookouts, badminton in the backyard, their dislike of our favorite family vet and more. But I never will figure out how Charlie and I always would discuss high school life “quietly” in their driveway at 2 a.m., and Rab and Patty would repeat the discussion IN DETAIL the next day. They cherished their family. And Charlie, Eddie, Donnie and Sally exemplify so many of the beautiful characteristics they learned from their Dad and Mom. They both believed in God, and I take comfort in knowing they are both comfortably HOME today and forever.
