Duane R. Snider

Duane R. Snider was born in Arapaho, Okla., on Sept. 30, 1937. He was the seventh of 10 children to Berna Snider and Freida Roll. He passed away on Jan. 25, 2009.

After graduating from high school, Duane joined the U.S. Air Force and spent a majority of his enlistment in Germany.  Upon his completion with the Air Force, Duane was hired by IBM and relocated to Ephrata, Wash., where he met and married Maureen (Sissy) Craig in 1962.

Duane's technical skills helped U.S. television networks tell the world the story of the flights and rendezvous of NASA's Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 spacecrafts. His 32 years with IBM took him many places which included Dallas, Texas, Tulsa, Okla., and Spokane, Wash. After retirement, he settled down in Clark Fork, Idaho.

Duane loved to drive his tractors, was an avid dart player and bowler and enjoyed passing the time with good old friends.

He will always be remembered for his selfless generosity and love for his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Maureen; son, Kevin of  Spokane Valley, Wash.; son, Ty (Maile) of Veradale, Wash.; daughter, Kasi (Kevin) of Kalispell, Mont.; and his six grandchildren:  J'me, Keilan, McKenzie, Josh, Tyler and Riley.

A gathering of friends and family to celebrate Duane's life will be held at the Cabinet Mountain Bar & Grill in Clark Fork at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.