|
Dick Snyder was
born in College Station, Texas, a son of an ISU Agriculture Engineer. His mom died when he was 11 and he was sent
back to Iowa to live with his aunt. Eventually,
Dick followed his father’s
footsteps to ISU where he met his
wife Shirley and graduated with a degree in Industrial Education. After serving in the Korean War, he returned
to the Cambridge area and chose farming as an occupation.
He and Shirley still live on the same farm,
which has now been in his wife’s family for six generations.
Dick
has been a
Heartland volunteer for the past three years, delivering meals to
homebound
seniors in Cambridge
and the surrounding rural area. He
learned about the opportunity from Max Olson and Wilbur Kooyman, who
have been
faithful meal volunteers for many years, and explained to him the vital
need in
this area. Since then Dick has been a
most willing volunteer, delivering meals between three and six times a
month. “It gives me a chance to visit with
these
people regularly,” he relates. “I’m glad
to do it. Someday someone will bring a
meal to me.”
Dick
also has
several other volunteer responsibilities. He
is a Bethany Manor volunteer, hosting a
men’s coffee group there and
at Cedar Place once a month. He is a
member of his church choir and has been a Sunday school teacher, a
Council
member, and part of the Stephen’s Ministry team in the past. Currently Dick, Shirley, and Naomi Tomlinson
lead a weekly Bible Study for the residents at Ballard Creek Assisted
Living. In addition, Dick has helped
with ISU Alumni Days for the past several years.
Dick
enjoys
gardening, planting trees, reading biographies, and has season tickets
to the
ISU football games. He and Shirley like
to attend their grandchildren’s activities and they now are enjoying
two
great-grandchildren as well.
“We
are fortunate
and unique in that all three of our children live within 3 miles,” Dick
explains. “It was a great decision years ago to raise our children on
the
farm. It’s where we are rooted. I am glad to give back to this community any
way I can.”
Thanks,
Dick, for
your willingness to serve your neighbors and make this world a better
place. |
