Rev. Walter P. Snyder
Jan. 16, 1957 – June 1, 2026
Walter Phillip Snyder, 69, of Concordia, Missouri, asleep in Jesus, 1 June 2026.
He was born on 16 January 1957 in Springfield, Illinois, to the late Rev. Dr. Walter W. Snyder and Melba (Grossmann) Snyder. He spent his early years in the farm country of Northern Texas. His family then moved to Pittsburg, Kansas, where his mother instilled in him a love of reading and education. After many formative years in Kansas, his father took a call to Gallup, New Mexico, where he would finish his secondary education. While in high school, Walter received appointments to both West Point and the Coast Guard Academy. He became a cadet at West Point, but after health issues, he was honorably discharged. He began classes the following year at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas, and then transferred to Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After some time working in St. Louis banks, he returned to Winfield and graduated from St. John’s in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. The Holy Spirit guided Walter to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, where he received his Master of Divinity in 1992.
During his time in St. Louis, he met the Love of His Life, Stephanie, and her daughter Courtney. They married on 19 November 1988. Walter served his vicarage (internship) at Mt. Olive Lutheran in Billings, Montana. The family returned to St. Louis for his final year of Seminary and the birth of their second daughter, Laura. Walter served congregations in Jasper and Woodville, Texas, and Emma and Slater, Missouri. He also was a hospice chaplain for many years and assisted congregations as a vacancy and guest pastor. While in the parish, Walter was a part of the first Higher Things youth conference in Wyoming, was a speaker in St. Louis, and wrote devotions for the organization. He was proud to serve as LWML Zone Counselor and passionately supported the “Purple Ladies.”
While his main occupation was serving as pastor, he was also a prolific writer. He began his online presence when he brought his newspaper column, “Ask the Pastor,” to the Internet. He continued this source of Christian answering and teaching throughout his time in Missouri. He wrote several hymns, articles for Concordia Pulpit Magazine, and devotions for Portals of Prayer, including a special “Where is God?” devotional for people suffering major losses. He also co-authored with his father a book entitled What Do Lutherans Believe?
Walter deeply loved watching his daughters and grandchildren perform and compete academically, musically and athletically. He was a man of many words, and many more books. You could often catch him exploring nature at botanical gardens, attending a country or rock concert, or having an enjoyable time with friends. One of his weekly highlights was attending his wife’s Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus rehearsals and shows. He passionately supported them and proudly served as their “roadie.”
He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, his daughters, Courtney and Laura (Kyle), his grandchildren, Jared (Jenna), and Eloise, Isabelle and Sophia, and his siblings, Paul, Tim (Anne), Steve, and Marie (Andrew), and beloved extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Melba, and stepmother Betty.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saline City with Pastor Mark Junkin officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia. The family request memorials to LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs or Concordia Seminary-St. Louis.