Dr. H.M. Snodgrass

Dr. H.M. Snodgrass, 77, former Harrodsburg Independent Schools superintendent and a decorated sergeant in the United States Army, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, surrounded by family his home in Frankfort.

Dr. Snodgrass was a devoted husband of 22 years to Susie Campbell Snodgrass, a loving father to Alex Snodgrass and Papaw to Noah, Kaden, Lucas, Kolston, Eli and Eleanor.

Dr. Snodgrass leaves behind a host of family who adored him including sisters Ann Daugherty, Rita McKinney (Roger), Patsy Kirby (Roger), Fammie Green (Jim), Renea Hunt (Doyle), brothers Clifford Snodgrass (Charla), Venson Snodgrass (Sue) and Eddie Snodgrass (Becky), a bonus daughter Katie Bratton (Bruce), an uncle David Snodgrass, sisters-in-laws Teressa Witherby (Dave) and Donna Walters (Tommy), and several nieces and nephews.

Dr. Snodgrass was born on May 3, 1947, in Morgantown, Kentucky. The oldest of 11 children, he was preceded in death by his parents Lonnie and Corinne Snodgrass, infant brother Roger Dale Snodgrass, sister Nancy Byrd, brother-in-law David Daugherty, nephew Jeremiah Byrd, and niece Whitney Pinkerton and her unborn son Ean.

Dr. Snodgrass worked in all levels of the education profession is his more than 50 years of service. The majority of his career included his term as superintendent of Harrodsburg Independent School s (1992-2006). Upon the merger of Harrodsburg Independent and Mercer County Schools, Dr. Snodgrass was appointed co-superintendent (2006-2007).

Dr. Snodgrass began teaching agriculture in 1969 at Hopkinsville High School after graduation from Western Kentucky University. In 1970 he was called to service in the U.S. Army where he served two years as a platoon sergeant and squad leader in the Republic of Vietnam.

Dr. Snodgrass returned home in 1972, where he continued his calling to education at WKU as a graduate research assistant for the Center for Career and Vocational Teacher Education. He returned to the classroom as an agriculture teacher at Jefferson State Vocational and Technical School (1973-74).

Dr. Snodgrass received his education doctorate in vocational technical education and education research from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his master of arts from the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Snodgrass’s work history extended through various positions at the Department of Education including associate commissioner, director of the division of research and evaluation, director for education planning, director of the Kentucky student leadership training center and assistant state supervisor of agribusiness education (1974-1992).

He also served as chief executive officer of the Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative (2007-2017) and most recently as an education policy coordinator for the Kentucky Legislative Commission (2019-2022).

For several decades Dr. Snodgrass advised political leaders on the local, state and national levels and was a trusted friend to several of Kentucky’s most prominent politicians.

Dr. Snodgrass’s civic leadership extended to service on the board of directors for many organizations including Haggin Memorial Hospital, Harrodsburg Rotary Club, Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Mercer County.

The true passion of Dr. Snodgrass’s life had become his family. He was happiest when surrounded by a backyard full of family and friends. He looked forward to accompanying his grandchildren to their school, church and sports events, and never missed a special occasion celebrating them.

Dr. Snodgrass was a Christian who had served as a deacon and was a devoted member of Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held 12 pm-4 p.m., on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church, 480 Duckers Road, Midway, Kentucky. A Celebration of Life service and the rendering of Military Funeral Honors will follow the visitation at 4 p.m.

Donations in honor of Dr. H.M. Snodgrass may be made to Tunnel to Towers, a foundation established to create safe housing for homeless veterans. For more information contact t2t.org or donate through dogood.t2t.org.