Joel Karnick
Daniel F. Snyder of Park Falls, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on May 20, 2024. Dan was scheduled to travel to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee that day for open heart surgery. However, he suffered a cardiac event at home and was transported by ambulance to Marshfield Hospital in Park Falls. Dan fought valiantly, as did the medical staff who did everything possible to save him, but he passed away just as a Flight for Life plane was preparing to touch down in Phillips to collect him for emergency transport to Froedtert.
Dan was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on April 22, 1950, to Clarence and Ruth (Rafferty) Snyder and grew up on the south side of Milwaukee. He graduated from Don Bosco High School in the spring of 1968 and began his undergraduate education at UW-Lacrosse, transferring to UW-Milwaukee after one semester. Due to his outstanding grades, Dan was able to transfer to UW-Madison Law School after only three years of college. Dan received his Law Degree in 1973 and was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar on January 16, 1974, becoming the youngest practicing attorney in Wisconsin at that time.
Dan married his soulmate and best friend, Pam, formerly Nelson, on June 7, 1971, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. After Dan graduated from law school, he and Pam moved to Park Falls, where Dan joined a litigation firm. In 1988, he opened the Snyder Law Office and was a sole practitioner throughout the rest of his life. Dan spent more than 50 years engaged in his life’s passion– the practice of law. His legal skills were truly legendary, as anyone who ever had the privilege of watching him deliver a three-hour closing argument, without so much as a note to rely on, can attest. During trials, it was amazing to watch him lure unsuspecting legal foes into a false sense of confidence, as they foolishly underestimated him. Time after time he relied upon careful preparation, his astounding intellect, and a simple yellow legal pad to overcome sophisticated legal teams from large firms, armed with the latest technology designed to impress judges and juries. Dan practiced in nearly every county in Wisconsin, as well as in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and he very rarely lost a case. His work ethic was second to none, and he never slowed down throughout his long career as he consistently used his legal skills to help people, and to make a positive difference in their lives. Dan was guided by the knowledge that everyone deserves justice, and he often did legal work without charge for individuals who had been treated unfairly. He truly believed that being a lawyer is not merely a vocation; it is a public trust, and as such, he felt that he had an obligation to give back to his community by helping those in need. He advocated for the physically disabled, the mentally ill, and the elderly. He used his brilliant mind and legal skills to fight for people that society tried to ignore. He made a difference in people’s lives. United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once gave the following advice: “Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.” Unwittingly, Dan lived by that advice. He left the world a much better place, and the tracks that he left can never be erased.
Dan gave his rare free time to help his wife work with special needs children. Pam was a Big Sister and would bring her Little Sisters home for respite care. The kids loved it when Dan would take them fishing, read books to them, and make popcorn for them so they could watch old Westerns together. Dan was an avid reader and enjoyed browsing bookstores and ordering books online. He was also an avid outdoorsman, and loved spending time with his golden retriever, Finn, at the family cabin. More than anything, though, Dan loved being a life partner to Pam, father to his children, and the best ‘Bepapa’ to his two grandsons. He loved to spend time with his son, Adam, going to the movies, Packer Sundays, fishing, and swimming at the family cabin. He was so proud of his son, Matthew, his accomplishments, and the man that he has become. Dan was so impressed by Matt’s drive, work ethic, and integrity. He enjoyed hearing from Matt about his newest plans and projects. He knew how lucky Matthew was when he married Suzanne and she became another daughter to Dan and Pam. Their love and commitment to each other reminded him of his own marriage to Pam. Dan’s daughter, Heather, was a beacon of light for him. He loved her fortitude and unwavering devotion to family. He also loved his son-in-law, Arnie, and enjoyed sharing stories about their careers and discussing politics with him. They shared many laughs. Dan’s grandsons, Jove and Pollux, were a majestic source of love and fulfillment for him. He was the one to hold the baby, the lap to sit on and their spoiling companion to Flambeau Rama, always at their beck and call. He was so supportive in everything they did and no matter how busy he was, he made time for a truck ride, a game of chess or fishing on Bass Lake. One hobby he taught them was woodworking in his workshop and he was so proud to watch their skills develop. The fact that Jove used his woodworking abilities to complete his Eagle Scout project left him wonderstruck. Bepa also found great pleasure in watching science fiction movies with Pollux and conversing with him in German. He was fascinated by Pollux’s extensive knowledge of sharks, space and cars. He was truly amazed by his grandsons’ diverse interests, their open hearts and their capacity to put in the work to make their dreams come true.
Dan is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Pam, of Park Falls; son Matthew (Suzanne) of Greenfield; son Adam of Park Falls; daughter Heather (Arnold) Stueber and grandsons Jove and Pollux of Wauwatosa; sister Maura (Mundo) Najera of Milwaukee; sister-in laws Annette (Paul) Sprtel of Hubertus, Annie (Bill) Rouse of Green Bay, Marybeth (Chris) Cummings of Pensacola, FL, Peggy (Curt) Foreman of Caledonia: numerous nieces and nephews; extended family members Claire Campbell of Park Falls, Dani Greenwood of Midland, North Carolina, Carolyn Kolson-Janov of Manitowish Waters; Jodie Bednar-Clemens of Springstead; Ann and Gary Koski of Park Falls; his faithful golden retriever, Finn and many, many more dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Melissa Ann; parents, Clarence and Ruth; and his brothers, Thomas, Michael, David and Patrick; father-in-law Donald Nelson; mother-in-law Leone Yankech and brother-in-law Donnie Nelson.
Dan’s dear friend, Jim Lex, said of his passing, “Dan was one of a kind.” Jim was right. Dan was definitely one of a kind and he can never be replaced. Not only was he a titan of the law, he was a loyal, true friend. He could always be counted on and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He had a great sense of humor, always having a witty comment to offer in any situation. All of us who knew and loved Dan are devastated by his passing. He meant so much to us, and his untimely death represents a tragic loss. The late Queen Elizabeth once said, “Grief is the price we pay for love.” That sentiment so accurately describes our feelings at this time. Our hearts are broken. We will think of Dan every day, love and miss him forever. His passing leaves a huge void in our lives and has caused immense pain. Yet, we know that he would want us to remember all of the good times, want us to smile, not cry, and to celebrate his life and the impact he made on our world. We can almost hear him say these words:
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is gone.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun,
of happy memories that I leave when my life is done.
A private memorial will be held later this summer. The family thanks everyone for their prayers and kindness. We ask that, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to your local food pantry; Dan would love that. We also ask that you share with us your happy memories of Dan, whether by mail, or on the Birch Street Funeral Service website. It would mean so much to us to hear from you – to be able to read about what Dan meant to you, or something funny he may have said or done, or how he may have helped you in some way.
