Richard Weldon Snarr

Richard Weldon Snarr, 86, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born in Urbana, Ohio on September 15, 1935 to the late Weldon F. and Cordelia (Nickel) Snarr. He developed a lifelong love of farming after spending his youth on the family’s Rich-Lyn Farm. Later, Richard went on to graduate from Wittenberg University, where he was elected president of the 1957 Senior Class and President of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He won letters in baseball and basketball. He pitched a 9-inning no-hit game in 1956 against Central State and was named MVP of the team. After a brief career teaching and coaching baseball, he went back to farming with his best friend and father, Weldon. During the summer of 1965, Richard became inspired to further his education. He and his family moved to Lexington, KY where Richard earned his master’s degree and PhD from the University of Kentucky. He then began his 29-year career as a professor and administrator at Eastern Kentucky University. His professional achievements were numerous, including designing a master’s graduate program and serving as Department Chair of Correctional Services. He authored and presented several works, including the Introduction to Corrections textbook that was adopted by many colleges and universities. He also was instrumental in pioneering distance learning. One of the most interesting and rewarding notes of his career was mentoring many students from Thailand who enrolled in the graduate program he directed. He acted as friend, advisor, and thesis director for many of them. Upon his students’ return to Thailand, several served in senior government leadership positions. At this time, he traveled extensively in Southeast Asia and Europe. Richard was a beloved and devoted spouse to his wife, Jane, of 39 years. He is survived by a son, Captain USN John Snarr (Kim), daughter Leslie Rion (Scott), stepdaughter Jennifer Brooks, stepson Michael (Teresa) Howard, and sister Carolyn (Don) Croft, sister-in-law Lynn (Faris) Maupin, brother-in-law Rollins (Betty) Rhodus. Richard and Jane share 13 grandchildren, 6 nieces and nephews, and 9 great grandchildren. In addition to Richard’s passion for farming, his lifelong hobbies include John Deere tractors, Lionel model trains, and Reds baseball. The values that Richard sought to espouse throughout his lifetime were devotion to his wife, children and family, environmental stewardship, equitable justice, education, and inclusive democracy. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 30 from 1p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Clark Legacy Center, 601 E. Brannon Rd., Nicholasville, KY. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lexington Rescue Mission. Grandchildren: Samuel Moher, John Howard, McKenzie Howard, Brittanie Gonzales, Kelsey Shamburger, Boman Shamburger, Natalie Rion, Benjamin Rion, Benjamin Snarr, Travis Snarr, Alan May, Jessica Cumings, and Austin Graybeal. Nieces and Nephews: Kenny Rhodus, Meghann Skeese, Felecia Rose, Jessica Maupin, Amy LeBold, and Michael Nolin. Stepbrothers and Stepsister: Tom Hegele, Mark Hegele, Paul Hegele, and Sandy Tooman. Great-grandchildren: Maddox Gonzales, Malachi Gonzales, Braelynn Gonzales, Ashtynn Gonzales, Wyatt Gardner, Jordin Gardner, Aubrey Cumings, Aria Snarr, Avery Snarr, and Khlo’e Blackwell.