Bobby Gene “Bob” Snodgrass

May 24, 1937 - October 19, 2019

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Bobby Gene “Bob” Snodgrass, 82, died at home in his sleep Saturday, October 19, 2019.

He was born in Comanche County, Texas on May 24, 1937, the eldest of four boys, the son a brick mason.

He was educated in the Brownwood, Texas public school system, and received a BS in Chemistry from Howard Payne College. He was the first member of his family to ever receive a college degree.

Coach Snodgrass, as he was affectionately known by the entire community, was best known for his simple yet extraordinarily effective teaching style in the subjects of Chemistry, Physics, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Virtually all of his students fondly remember what it meant when he would speak the dreaded words, “clear your desk except for one sheet of paper and pencil”, or when he would choose individuals during class each day and say, “…go to the blackboard and show us how to work problem #3.”

For decades he received almost constant accolades and expressions of gratitude from parents and former students, many of whom later became successful in scientific and technical professions. More importantly many of his former students became his close personal friends for life.

Coach Snodgrass played vital roles in Sonora’s school athletic programs.

Many Sonora players began their football careers in the 7th grade, at which time Coach Snodgrass made crucial team position assignments based on each player’s individual abilities and the needs of the team.

He taught young players the basics of football, including the plays, player numbers, gap numbers and terminology developed by Athletic Director Jerry Hopkins in the 1960’s.

He also taught self-discipline, situational awareness and a winning attitude – to seek perfection in the execution of individual assignments without resorting to tricks or gimmicks.

This proved to be a formula which contributed to multiple Texas State Football Championships. For more than 20 years he was also the high school golf coach, and led many individuals and teams to the compete in state championship tournaments.

Coach Snodgrass led and developed the Sonora High School Student Council which became an effective body for student-led changes in school policy and charitable giving.

He organized the very popular and successful town Halloween Carnival for decades.

In his spare time Bob was known as “Dad” or “Granddad.”

He enjoyed spending time with his great grandchildren, hunting, trapping, fishing, frying catfish near the banks of the Devil’s River, and playing poker, dominos or checkers, the latter being games which he lost on purpose when playing with the kids but was otherwise almost impossible to defeat.
He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, and survived by sons Robin and wife Beverly of Baytown, Chase and wife Debbie of Corpus Christi, Zedekiah and wife Alisha of Sonora, two younger brothers Ben and David and their families, three grandsons, and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services are private and will be held at the convenience of the family.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Arrangements are being handled by Love Funeral Home.