HAROLD ZAHNISER SNYDER of Mancelona, Michigan went home to be with his Savior on December 24, 2021 at the age of 93.
FAMILY -He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lefa Snyder and his siblings, Ruth Evelyn (Snyder) White, Art and Al Snyder and his grandson, Seth Willey. Harold is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ellen (Vore) Snyder and his daughter Marian (Snyder) Willey, son-in-law Mark Willey, son James Snyder, and daughter-in -law Gina Roberts Snyder. He is the proud grandfather of Luke Snyder, Becca (Snyder) Loli, Laura (Willey) Coppersmith, Josh Willey, Ben Willey, Rachel Willey, Kristen Willey, Jana Willey, Tim Willey and John Willey and all his great grandchildren; Sophie, Lauren, Wesley, Summer Coppersmith, Shy, Armani, Bryce, Cooper, Moses Willey, Atticus, Solomon, Eden Willey, Alexa Willey-Burke, Sadie Willey-Fekete, Eva and Ari Loli, Wren, Nel, and Muir Snyder.
BACKGROUND & EDUCATION- Harold grew up with a love of family, horses, the outdoors and Jesus Christ. He was raised on a farm with a well-known surgeon for a father, a bishop’s daughter for a mother, and 3 older siblings.He ran track in high school, winning the Michigan state championship in the half mile. He went on athletic scholarship to University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in Biology. He secured a Masters degree in Botany, and a PhD in Conservation Education from Michigan State University.
VOCATION & ACCOMPLISHMENTS - He served as a pastor of a Free Methodist church for two years, but retired from the ministry “because he ran out of sermons!” He then completed his PhD and taught briefly at a Junior College and then was hired by Taylor University as a professor. During his time at Taylor, he became the Chairman of the Science Department. His love was always field biology. This love caused him to start a Jr. Science Camp in northern Michigan in the summers with the intent of giving young boys a love for creation and the Creator. While at Taylor, he taught Conservation classes at a program he launched at Big Twin Lake, in northern Michigan. Eventually, he developed that into Au Sable Environmental Institute. Au Sable grew to include professors and college students from over 20 different Christian colleges. His passion was to create community around a love for creation and the Creator. He also started Cedar end Farm and Retreat Center in Mancelona, Michigan with the same purpose.
PERSONAL - He was a man full of stories and jokes for all occasions. He sang in quartets throughout his life, praising and worshiping through music. His favorite verse was Psalm 34:1 “ I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” He loved keeping in touch with his many friends gathered throughout the years, from boyhood on. He lived a full, rich life of adventure, generosity, and humor. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
MEMORIAL - His memorial service will be held at the Lodge of Au Sable Environmental Institute on June 11, 2022. Any memorial gifts in his honor can be sent to continue the projects and programs he loved.
Online: Visit www.ausable.org/donate and click “In memory of” in the online form and enter “Harold Snyder.” Check: Mail with “Harold Snyder” in the memo line to Au Sable Institute, 7526 Sunset Trail Road NE, Mancelona, MI 49659
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About |
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| Name | Harold Snyder |
| Date of Birth | June 11th, 1928 |
| Date of Death | December 24th, 2021 |
| Home Town | Mancelona, MI, US |
| Other City | Mount Laurel Township, NJ, US |
| In Memoriam Donation | Au Sable Institute |
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published a tribute .
Marian Snyder Willey, Harold’s daughter, and I grew up together in Upland IN. Both of our fathers were professors at Taylor University… but perhaps it would be more illuminating to say that Marian and I grew up together as girls with Fathers, capital “F”. Both fathers were deeply committed to the safety and the propriety of their daughter’s activities with a certain degree of strictness. As a recent immigrant to a new country and becoming a widower my father’s circle of protection extended to cover any small gaps left by Marian’s father careful supervision. We used to joke that any detail of expected behavior one father might miss the other was certain to cover.
Nevertheless, those growing years were full of shared adventure, skating and tobogganing at Timberidge, where the Snyders lived in Upland, tagging along on Taylor biology student field trips, times at Au Sable and many shared meals at table. These dinnertimes always began with prayer and all were expected was to participate in the prayer time.
Marian and I both attended Taylor University where Marian met a handsome man and they fell in love. Dr. Snyder (a term of affection in our circles) appreciated diligent, responsible sort of students, the kind he’d pick for a lab assistant. Mark Willey did not fit that description – he had a fast car and friends that generally were not on the honor roll. The relationship deepened and grew under the watchful disapproval of the Father.
Dynamics were tense that evening I gathered with the family at dinner up at AuSable on a college break. Heads bowed for the prayer… into that holy space Harold Snyder began to pray. There at the table, in a slightly unsteady voice, holding together love for family and love of the Lord, words came praying for the Lord to give the yieldedness of his heart that could bless the marriage of Marian and Mark. Trust and faith met strong will and opened a way to possibilities beyond control or imagination. For my young self it was a powerful moment of witnessing the deep and demanding work of faithfulness.
Many reading this know “the rest of the story” – Mark and Marian went on to found a dynamic church, raise a large family and make a home that would nourish and bring blessing to many in remarkable ways.
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published a tribute .
Looking back on my life, Harold is one of the key influential men that the Lord used to give me direction at a critical time when I needed it most. During my two summers at AuSable I developed a love for camping and had the opportunity with Garrett Crow to develop the Bush Trailsmen Camp. At Harold’s encouragement and support we led a three week canoe camp that built in me a heart for camping. And that led into a life of ministry through camping among Native American youth that even had for many years a wilderness camping program. And for over 50 years Harold and Ellen have supported our ministry. But above all their friendship has been a most precious gift.
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published a tribute .
As I was growing up, I had the privilege of taking part in the AuSable/Big Twin Lake experience. Being the kid of a biology professor (George Harrison) allowed us to spend summers in the North Woods. What fantastic memories we have of the field station students, swimming in the lake, and time spent on the beach with Miss Ellen, Miss Mae, and my mom Anna. The ladies would bring out coffee, Kool-Aid, and cookies for all of us kids and students to enjoy while Harold (Dr. Snyder, as we were to call him) and my dad were teaching or overseeing lab work “up the hill.”
In the years since, I have been able to bring my own family to our most favorite place on earth, often having four generations at once in the Snyder cottage! What a joy it has been to share these memories with them and make new ones, all thanks to the generosity of Harold and Ellen. We will so miss Harold and cherish the times we spent with him. He always had a story to tell and an ornery smile. We will hold these memories close until we meet again.
With love,
Judy and Jay
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published a tribute .
I was so happy to have a brief visit with Harold and Ellen 2 or 3 times at their lake home in the 1980's, and taken around to see the sights, the the New England Village, etc.
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published a tribute .
Written to Harold on the occasion of his Au Sable honor:
July 18, 2019
Dearest Harold:
It is with great joy we celebrate you on this occasion! You deserve every accolade you receive and we are honored to call you our friend and brother in the Lord.
From when I (Joyce) was a small child of four, when I first met you and your wonderful family, until today some 56 years later, I have deeply loved and appreciated you for who you are – a man of God, devoted to family, and a lover and sustainer of God’s creation.
You and your family have had such a profound influence on our lives over these many years – first when we were given the privilege of spending countless weeks at Big Twin while Dad was teaching with you; all of us growing and “doing life” together; spending innumerable hours with Jim teaching me how to ride that little blue bike – behind the seat, of course - and playing on your trampoline in Upland. Next, Ellen so beautifully hosting us for Kool-aid and cookies on the beach and providing so much love and care through her teaching me how to swim and dive and helping me conquer my fear of “the deep.” Marian helped “mother” all of us as we grew up playing up and down “The Hill” and exploring all the nooks and crannies of the cottage and double-wide, as well as enjoying Louie’s Pond, the Beaver Pond, the volleyball court, lunches and dinners in the dining hall, various hiking trails, and walks and canoe rides to the “little store” across the lake. And, our times in Bay View and at the Dairy Queen in Mancelona were such a treat. We so enjoyed every moment we had with all of you – whether north or south.
Now that we’re all adults with families of our own, you’ve so graciously shared your wonderful cottage with us – a place that has come to mean so very much. You have so kindly welcomed David into your lives, and we’re forever grateful. Your overwhelming generosity in allowing the two of us precious, quiet times each summer has been so very much appreciated, as well as welcoming the Harrison Clan of 11 for our annual week-long visit.
Spending quality time with you and Ellen has been on our list of most precious life moments – whether it’s a quick “hello” on the road, enjoying pie and ice cream and wonderful conversation in your lovely home, or hearing your words of wisdom and cleaver quips as you and David have worked on various projects around the cottage. The Lord has touched our lives through you as we’ve had conversations ranging from the weather, to theology, to praises and requests, to heartfelt greetings and tearful goodbyes. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our visits, whether in person or over email or telephone.
I recently read a quote from a gentleman who built a cottage in extreme northern Minnesota – a place he could only visit a month out of the year. He put it so well as he said, “Knowing it’s there helps us get through the other three hundred and thirty-five days. Knowing it’s waiting for us with open arms makes a stressful workday a little calmer.” That’s exactly the way we feel about your wonderful cottage and your presence there on Sunset Trail. It is our absolute Happy Place and we are forever grateful for your kindness, love, and generosity.
We count you two most dear to us, love you more than you know, and are extremely pleased to be a part of this honor for you as an amazing human being. We are thankful for all you’ve done for the Kingdom through the ministries of Au Sable Trails Camp for Youth, Au Sable Trails Camp, and finally Au Sable Institute and the countless lives touched as you’ve served young people over these many years.
You are truly one to whom honor is due and we cannot thank you enough for your influence on our lives. May you and Ellen be blessed beyond measure.
Our love,
Joyce and David
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published a tribute .
Harold was an unbelievable man and I was blessed to be able to spend some time with him and his amazing family. My prayers are with you during your grieving process. Thank you for the Christmas gift and your kind words always. May God continue to bless you all. Harold will be missed.
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published a tribute .
Unc for me was not my great uncle but my "3rd grandpa" and I LOVED visiting him and Anna up at their Big Twin house and eating all of the cashews from their nut bowl. As I got older I loved getting to sit in the living room and watch and listen to the brothers (Grandpa and Unc) and the sisters (Grandma and Anna) tell stories and tease each other.
Favorite Unc story- When he tried to get the snowblower on the roof!
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published a tribute .
Writing this makes me tear up as Harold and Ellen were such a huge part of my summer childhood memories. Over the years, I was always so happy to see them as we would arrive to Big Twin, June-August. I have missed them over the last several summers, as Big Twin is not quite the same without them there. I know how much Big Twin and AuSable meant to Harold. It was his home in which he was SO proud and such a part of who he was. The last few summers I saw Harold he would ALWAYS had to share his favorite story of me. LOL. The story is this. When I was just a little girl, probably 4 or 5, Harold came in to the place where we were staying and he ask me what I was doing and I replied, "Just laxin"... He would laugh every time he would tell me. I just loved it! Even as a 50 year old, it made so happy for him to repeat it again. He would also remind me of how I always caught frogs and talked about the huge bullfrog that was half the size of my head. Hahaha. I loved Harold and will always have the fondest memories of him. I can't wait to make more in heaven. I'm sure we will go fishing or something like that together. Maybe we will just "lax" on a cloud and look for frogs. Heaven is so lucky to have gained you Harold! We will see you soon. Very soon!
Love, Joleen
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published a tribute .
I was praying for Harold and Ellen just before Ellen's card arrived announcing Harold' homecoming. We fell in love with Harold and Ellen when we bought the Doerr Rd home from them. Harold became a role model for me as I served on the Pathway Church elder board with him. Harold embodied godly wisdom, so I always took to heart what he had to say. Ellen, your loving demeanor reminds me of my mom. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Harold, what a homecoming we will have in heaven! I look forward to seeing you again, my friend!
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published a tribute .
Harold with Cousin Fred Hendricks III July 4, 1944
A mischievous look in his eye.
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published a tribute .
It all began at Au Sable. Doc Snyder had a unique ability to bring appreciation of Creation and love for the Creator together to encourage a young budding botanist toward a career in teaching field botany. Doc was professor, mentor, and friend and will be greatly missed.
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published a comment .
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