Paul Snawder

Paul Terry Snawder passed away at home in Davis April 4, 2019, after living with multiple myeloma for several years. He was born August 9, 1939, in Louisville, KY, to Ethel (Morrison) and William Snawder. His big sisters were fond of then-popular comic Terry and the Pirates, convincing their parents to call their brother Terry.

Terry spent a year at Georgetown University before enlisting in the Air Force. Dogtags indicated “Paul T.,” and he was from then on known as Paul to most acquaintances. While serving, he met and married his love, Phoebe Ford. Their first son Mark was born on base in Georgia. Following service, they moved to Bloomington, IN, where he finished his bachelor’s degree in history.

Paul and Phoebe moved to California and settled at San Jose State, where he worked on graduate studies in math and history. Son Ian and daughter Seanain soon followed, along with work as a programmer/analyst with Santa Clara County. Paul worked for the County for over thirty years, from the days of maintaining IBM mainframes to seeing them decommissioned and replaced in the era of personal computers. Paul continued to track the industry closely in retirement, including daily checking of beta-testing opportunities.

Paul moved to Davis, CA, following the birth of his first grandchild. As Pap-paw, he delighted in early baby holding, later nerf battles, and many Davis Little League games.

Paul is survived by wife Phoebe Ford Snawder; son Mark Snow of Santa Barbara; son Ian Snow, daughter in-law Katie Wurtz, and grandchild Aidan of Los Altos; and daughter Seanain Snow, daughter in-law Laurie Warren, and grandchild Tanner, of Davis. He is also survived by his sister MaryAnn Weber of Louisville, KY, along with many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service is planned for Saturday June 15, 3pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis.