Richard (Dick) Snyder

Richard (Dick) Snyder passed away on June 13, 2026 at age 86, after having the opportunity to share heartfelt goodbyes with those he loved most. Dick was born on January 9, 1940 in St Paul to Al and Margaret Snyder. He grew up on the west side of St Paul graduating from Monroe High School in 1958. Dick attended the University of Minnesota earning a degree in accounting. Dick became a Certified Public Accountant and remarkably achieved the highest score on the CPA test in Minnesota and third in the nation.

Dick proudly served in the Minnesota Air National Guard and was stationed in Wichita Falls Texas. While on military leave in St. Paul in 1963, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth (“Liz”). Following his military service Dick and Liz moved to St Paul where he began his career with Haskins and Sells as a CPA. During this time, they welcomed their daughter Roxane, a joy and blessing in their lives. Dick’s talent and dedication quickly earned recognition, and he was recruited to his firm’s executive office in New York City. Dick helped lead pioneering efforts to incorporate the use of computer technology into the auditing profession.

Eventually, Dick and his family returned to Minnesota, and he went to work at Dayton Hudson Corporation (now Target Corporation) as Head of Internal Audit. He then finished his distinguished career as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Tennant Company in Golden Valley. Dick was respected not only for his expertise and leadership but also for his integrity, diligence, and commitment to excellence.

Dick had a witty sense of humor with a knack for telling stories. He had many pastimes over the years which included playing cards, traveling with family and friends, driving fast cars, showing American Saddlebred horses, days spent at the lake waterskiing and teaching others to ski, and striving to make a difference to those facing challenges. But some of Dick’s happiest moments were spent on the golf course with his brother Ron and other family members. He would aim to play 125 rounds of golf per year on their home course of Francis Gross golf course in St. Anthony. Most importantly Dick and Liz loved spending time with their daughter Roxane, son-in-law Tim following them with residency in Woodbury. In addition, they thoroughly enjoyed their time with grandchildren, Thomas, Megan and Claire both in Minnesota and in retirement in Naples, Florida. Dick was a kind and generous man whose greatest joy was devoting time to teaching his grandkids how to drive and golf and attending their concerts, sporting events, and dance competitions, often seen with a video camera recording and then organizing all of the action. Constants in his life were his daily conversations with his brother and his daily love and appreciation for his wife, who was a gifted cook and wonderful conversationalist before she passed away after 62 years of marriage.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, Al and Margaret Snyder; wife, Elizabeth; and dear sister, Marge Ferraro. Dick is survived by his brother and best friend Ron; daughter, Roxane (Tim) Becken; grandchildren, Thomas (Estee), Megan and Claire; brother-in-law, Tony (Kathy) Komor; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Dr. Thaw and the entire M Health Fairview Cancer Center Woodbury team for their attentive and dedicated care of Dick in his courageous and long battle with VEXAS syndrome. He developed a close rapport with many of you, and we thank you for always being there for him. We would also like to express our appreciation to Dr Dunkel and team, his compassionate caregiver Kelly, and the entire staff and resident community of Talamore Woodbury for your committed care and friendship during his final year.

A private family service will take place in August at Sunset cemetery in St. Anthony.