Roger Anthony Snyder
Sep 27, 1955 - Sep 9th, 2022- Birth Date: Sep 27, 1955
- Death Date: Sep 9, 2022
- Funeral Date: Sep 13, 2022, 2:00 pm
- Location: Second Presbyterian Church
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Biography: Surrounded by his family, Roger Anthony Snyder passed away Friday, September 9, 2022, following a brief illness. Roger is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lori James Snyder and their children James “Bo” Wesley Emmet, Matthew “Matt” MacMillan Snyder (Emile,) Meeghan “Mia” Claire Snyder and two grandchildren, Olive Winters Emmet and Thomas Oliver Snyder.
Roger was born to Bema and Alva Snyder on September 27, 1955, in Little Rock, Arkansas with a story to tell and a song to play. He graduated from Central High School in 1973 before continuing his education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1973-1978) and Memphis State Herff College of Engineering (1978-1979) where he completed degrees in thermodynamics, industrial and mechanical engineering, and statistics.
Roger began his career in 1982 working at A G Edwards and Son as a stockbroker and then soon moved to an investment banking position at EF Hutton/ Drexel Burnham Lambert (1982-1987.) In 1987 he moved to Memphis to work as a VP Senior Trader at Thomson McKinnon Securities, followed by a brief stent at Louis Dreyfus Commodities as a Senior Trader. His last corporate position was held at Allenberg Cotton as a trader before he ventured off to pursue his own interests. An entrepreneur to his core, Roger moved back to Little Rock in 1991 where he spent the remainder of his professional life contributing to the telecommunication industry and establishing his own companies: InteLex, Signet 6 and IoT4Net, Inc. Roger grew his companies from the ground up, starting with scrubbing old telephones with toothbrushes and eventually growing his first business, InteLex, to a $20 million a year business in a five-year period between 1991 and 1996. Over his professional career, Roger’s various entrepreneurial ventures lead to partnerships with General Dynamics, the United States Military, various United States Government Agencies, as well as numerous fortune 500 companies. Over the years, Roger’s experience and expertise has proven to be a valuable asset in his advisory roles for major manufacturers, universities and professional organizations including International Engineering Consortium, the University of Arkansas, and Ericsson Business Systems.
While Roger’s intensity and dedication took him far in his career and professional life, his love for music was an undeniable thread throughout his life. His fame in the musical industry came early, when in 1973 he and his band, Planet, opened for STYX at Little Rock’s Barton Coliseum to a sold-out crowd. Roger was a guitarist and all-around musician known by many as “BB Gun.” In his past time, he played in numerous central Arkansas bands including Max and the Blue Cats, the Paperboys, the Arkansas Blues Connection Band and Dummy and the Other Guy. Roger was also a long-time and well-loved member of the Port City Blues Society. Roger made many fans and life-long friends through his connection with music. He was always most himself with a guitar in hand.
A rockstar in his musical endeavors, professional life, and most importantly to his family, Roger was a legend. He was never afraid of a dance floor, and the life of the party anytime the band started playing. Roger loved his family intensely and in everything he did there was an underlying theme of leaving a legacy for his family. He was genuinely dedicated to everything for which his children expressed interest and was always looking forward to a Branson road trip. A multifaceted man, his inspirations in life spanned from Thomas Edison to Stevie Ray Vaughn. Roger’s “political” endeavors included his position as the founding and sole member of the KEG (Keeping Effectiveness in Government) Party, where he was actively recruiting members to his last days. He was quick witted, had an easy and infectious smile, and always had a story to tell. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
The family wants to thank the doctors and staff at St. Vincent Memorial Hospital for their tender care of Roger.
A visitation and celebration of Roger’s life will be held on Monday, September 12th at Ruebel Funeral Home from 5 to 7 in the evening. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church (600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227) on Tuesday, September 13th at 2:00 in the afternoon with a reception to follow. Services will be conducted by Reverend Alisha Secrest of Second Presbyterian Church and Reverend Jay Bruno, a dear friend and fellow musician with Roger. Roger’s ashes will be taken to one of the family’s favorite retreats along the shores in Ely, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to an organization of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.
Roger Snyder
Little Rock, AR
Friday, October 9, 2020
I know there and a thousand of us that have stories about Bob Boyd and our relationships. I have known Bob Boyd since 1961, pre - Beatles US invasion. His original Boyd Music was not the location everyone became familiar with in the later 60s and 70s but actually further done 12th street towards Central High and next door to Little Rock Blind and Drapery company. Bob had told me the stories of how when he was selling accordion lesson working for another local music store. He would call the parents on the phone say" Mrs. Jones, Have you ever thought about giving little Bobby accordion lessons? He opened his own place I think when he was 26? I was 6 and I wanted to play the guitar like Johnny Cash. My mom took me to meet Bob. Bob said "Mrs. Snyder. Roger's hands are still too small to play the guitar. Bring him back next year. " I cried and was very upset. I wanted to play that guitar!. So Bob found me a little half scaled guitar that was a rent to own plan. I think it rented for something like 2 dollars a week. Man it was great! I had no idea what i was doing but I loved it! Later old, friend Joe Brandt went to work for Bob and provided me my first lessons (later Ray Bell) and then on Feb 9th, 1964 our world changed! Bob had landed reseller contracts with Gretsch guitars and Vox amplifiers. This was pre Ed Sullivan Beatles in US. Bob told me as soon as the Beatles hit US soil that George Harrison was playing that Gretsch guitar and the band used Vox amps. That was the start of the electric guitar and rock band explosion and Bob just happened to have those contracts! The rest of Bob and Boyd Music history is a great story of a self made made man and entrepreneur that cared about the kids and all of his customers. You were a good man Bob Boyd and I know you will be saluted by many. Perhaps a music tribute in Bobs honor is in order. Roger
https://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/memorialpage.asp?id=56813&locid=17#:~:text=Roger%20Snyder,in%20order.%20Roger
May God Bless and keep The Snyder Family
Gary Ward, Walter Mashburn, Roger and I were in a band for a few years, we named it Mongoose and later on, Planet. We played in a talent show concert at the Barton Coliseum, hosted by Jack from Discount Records and some car dealer I cannot recall the name. I remember Roger as a free spirit, often breaking into unscripted riffs on his guitar and wah-wah pedal in the middle of band practice or dancing a silly dance step that defies definition. Sometimes he would do a Walter Brennan voice talking the words and music to Blue Suede Shoes. He would start playing a totally unplanned song when band practice if it had fallen into total confusion and disarray. Roger could play any song put to him with relative ease. I remember visiting his house when he lived with his parents. He had a good collection of albums in his tiny bedroom, but one of his favorite groups at the time was ZZ Top. I think he could play every song by ZZ Top with no problem. He will truly be missed by all.
The last time I saw him was in 1973. I was sure he would do well in life - and he did!
He left us way too soon. Praying for the family, so sorry for your loss.
I was saddened to hear the news of Roger's passing. We attended Southwest Jr High and Central together, and greatly admired his talent and spirit for life. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Prayers and thoughts for your family at this very difficult time.
From reading about him , I’m sorry I didn’t know him !
What great memories you all have . I pray they provide comfort and peace .
You will always be missed and never forgotten. May God meet you at the gates with open arms and a stage at the ready. RIP
We pray for strength and extend deepest sympathy and love to All Roger’s beautiful Family.
Gary & Cindy Anzalone
It was only this evening that I learned of the passing of my dear friend. Roger was one who laughed often and much. I remember having lunch with him in the summer of 2021 when we he shared a text from Lori. She was on a casino boat in Florida and her message was simple, "SEND $$$". I never ceased to be amazed at his ability to bring joy and laughter into most any situation.
Among my greatest regrets is declining Roger's invitation to have dinner with his family in the spring of 2022. In my defense, the doctors assured me that my mother was dying and I couldn't leave her side.
In closing, know this, Roger A Snyder was one of the kindest, most extraordinary people I ever known. I believe his love will be in all of our hearts forever.