Byron George Sneva
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Byron George Sneva of Anacortes passed away on Sunday February 12th, just weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday with family and friends. Byron's strong Norwegian heart came to a stop ending this life he loved.
Byron was born to George and Edith Sneva on January 3, 1923, in Fergus Falls Minnesota, a beautiful rural town of rolling hills and lakes in Ottertail County. He was the eldest of five children, with three younger brothers and a younger sister. He grew up during the Depression, yet it became an ideal youth for an active boy. As an enthusiastic Boy Scout, he learned the skills needed to experience a wonderful world with his siblings. There was hunting, trapping, fishing, ice skating, skiing, and hiking and camping regardless of the season. Adventure was around every corner. And the bounty helped to provide food for the family during those times. He was a good student and athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track, as well as American Legion baseball each summer.
WWII changed Byron's life as it did for all of America. He enlisted in the Marine Corps, left his small Midwestern town, and at 19 traveled to San Diego for basic training. He then shipped out with the First Armored Amphibian battalion to the South Pacific where he experienced fierce fighting during more than a year there. In later years Byron commented that he was the luckiest man alive to have survived in that theater.
While on leave back in Los Angeles, he was introduced to a young woman, Dorris Pierce. They fell in love, and were married after the war in 1946. They raised six children together. The GI Bill allowed Byron to pursue his degree in Civil Engineering. He was a born engineer with his consuming curiosity about the natural and physical world, his need to know how things worked. He had a long career working for both small and large engineering firms in Minnesota and Washington.
Byron and Dorris moved to Anacortes in 1985 to enjoy small town living in this beautiful community. They quickly felt at home. Celebration Lutheran became their church home. Their faith was nurtured and they made many close friends there.
As the years went by, Byron felt a need to express his growing opposition to war, and he helped to form a Peace group in town. There he met a VietNam vet, Larry Tomovick. From different generations, they connected with their shared understanding and experiences of war. They became instant friends. They shared a love of biking and e-triking, which cemented their relationship, and they enjoyed many years of great rides together along with other biking friends, (several of whom were also veterans). Up until a few weeks before his death, Byron could be found on Sunday at noon, standing on the corner of 12th and Commercial with a peace sign in hand, waving and encouraging passersby to think about alternative ways of solving problems in the world. Many of his Peace group friends have been there with him over the years, and hopefully they will carry on that tradition.
Being a man of curiosity and inquiry, Byron was a deep thinker. He left journals, diaries, short stories, and poems that revealed his appreciation of the complexities of life, as well as the simple pleasure of the ordinary, particularly family. Byron, as our Dad, was the consummate provider, always offering encouragement, and very much engaged in our lives. His belief in the goodness of humanity, and the possibility that everyone could make a difference in the world was shared with his children. Byron wanted the world to become a better and more peaceful place. He was our beacon of light, and we will carry that light forward.
Byron leaves behind his wife of 76 years, Dorris, his partner, ally, and best friend, his six children, Wayne Sneva (Laurie), Randi Bruun (Ron), Ronna Pomeroy (Toby), Karen Backman (Mark), Melinda Phillips (Scott), Diane Mannone (Gary), and his sister, Sonja Moe of Fergus Falls Minnesota. He has 18 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.
At his request, there will not be a funeral service. His family will celebrate him privately and with great love later this summer. We invite you to join us in honoring our Dad by pursuing ever greater ways to live peacefully in our world.
His family wishes to thank the many baristas who served up a "hazelnut americano" to Byron over the years. He loved his daily trips to get a good cup of coffee on his E-trike!
To share memories, please visit www.evanschapel.com