Neil Snarr Obituary

Emeritus Professor Dr. D. Neil Snarr, age 90, of Wilmington, died Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by his family after a period of failing health. He was born November 19, 1933, in Yonkers, New York, the son of the late Donald P. and Mabel (Stroghbridge) Snarr.

Neil served in the military in the early 1950s and went on to earn both a Doctor of Theology degree from Iliff School of Religion and a Ph.D. in sociology from The Ohio State University. He placed second in the state of Indiana as a high school wrestler. Snarr, who became a Quaker after moving to Wilmington, attended Wilmington Friends Meeting for decades. He also served on Wilmington City Council and the boards of the Quaker United Nations Office in New York and Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, D.C. Dr. Snarr had served Wilmington College for 43 years, he was a founder of the College's acclaimed prison education program in 1967 and played a key role in the institution's embracing both global issues curriculum and study abroad/study away opportunities.

He took hundreds of students on lobby trips to Washington, D.C., and study abroad trips to Mexico, Nicaragua and other destinations. The lobby trips have become a signature hands-on learning opportunity for WC students. Interim President Corey Cockerill, "Neil was a beacon of light and careful steward of the College's mission and Quaker core values," she said. "He was kind, faithful, never knew a stranger and cared deeply about global education." Wynn Alexander, professor of theatre and interim vice president for academic affairs, echoed those sentiments. "Neil was certainly one of the College's stalwart carriers of the mission and Quaker values," he said. "He was truly one of the last 'weighty Quakers' of years gone by. He has had a lasting effect on many faculty, staff, alumni and students."

Dr. Snarr continued scholarly endeavors even after his retirement, sharing many unique pieces of local history in the Wilmington News Journal, especially those involving Quakers, peacemaking and social justice. Also, he and his son, Michael, a professor of political science at WC, co-edited numerous editions of the book, Introducing Global Issues, which has been used at colleges and universities both throughout the United States and internationally.

Neil is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruth (Shaban) Snarr, who he met at Anderson College in Indiana. He is also survived by two sons: Michael and his wife Melissa Snarr of Wilmington, their children, Madison, Ty (Gethsemane), Isaiah, and Elise: and Kevin Snarr, and his children, Jordan, Mackenzie, Griffin, and Jillian, and their mother Tanya Day; great grandchildren, Emery, Dublin, Luka, and Calvin; many friends, co-workers, and students.

In addition to his parents, Neil is preceded in death by his sister Jean LeViere.

A Celebration of Neil's Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, JANUARY 20, 2024, at Wilmington Friends Meeting, 66 N. Mulberry Street, Wilmington, Ohio, 45177. Mike and Nancy McCormick will officiate. There will be no visitation prior to service, a meal will follow the service at the church, all are welcome and encouraged to visit with the family there. Burial will take place privately at the convenience of the family in the Cedarville Cemetery, Cedarville, Ohio, prior to the Celebration of Life on Saturday. Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington, is assisting the family.

To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.arehart-brown.com, or see our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home.