So grateful that I made a quick trip to Long Beach, CA to see my friend Ron Snyder while he was hospitalized for pancreatic cancer chemotherapy. We spent the day telling tales of our exploits at Pacific Lutheran University, where we met as music majors. He was one of a rare few musicians who made their living as a performer, not a teacher. He coached so many singers, including me, to bring out the best we could be. Less than a month after I saw him, he was gone. How lucky am I to love someone that makes saying goodbye so very, very hard?
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- Ron and I at my family’s home in Lakewood, where we spent many a weekend.
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- Ron and Patty Ben out for brunch with the family.
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- At Vigeland Park, in Oslo, Norway – doing our best statue pose.
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- Having no fun at all at the Portland Saturday Market in Oregon.
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- Ron looking a little jaundiced, but in good spirits.
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- Sunset on my last night in Long Beach.
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- Loving messages from Ron’s groupies.
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- Bryan, Ron’s partner of 28 years, with JoAnn Worley (from Laugh In) at Ron’s Celebration of Life.
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- Now he’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Sue, thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. I found your blog through various Google searches on Ron’s name. He and I grew up just miles from each other and went to grade school and high school together. In fact, he was my first crush and in 2nd grade I got in trouble for slipping him a “love note” in class! We kept in touch over all these years, though I saw his mother much more often since she was a good friend of my mother’s. The last time I saw Ron was last Thanksgiving when my husband and I had lunch with him and Bryan in Long Beach. I was so shocked and saddened to hear of his death. I wasn’t able to make it to either of the celebrations of his life in LA, so I’m grateful to those like you who were able to see him and share your memories and photos.
Thank you, Ann! Ron was so much fun to be with – for proms, costume parties, you name it. He had an infectious enthusiasm that bouyed my spirits through some tough times. He even took me to a gay bar! I miss him dearly – I can still hear his voice in my head and my heart.