Obituary: Robert G. Snell

MADISON - So many time we use and hear analogies comparing life to sports. Words like courage, strength, and loyalty are used many times in both sports and life. But Robert G. Snell - more affectionately known as Grandpa Bob, Bubba, Bobby and Mustang Snelly, took these words he heard during his career of football and actually lived them along the way. Born on March 4, 1949, in Madison, as the youngest of seven children, Bob spent the first quarter of his life playing football. Bob played football at Central High School in Madison, continued at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then played for the semi-professional team, the Madison Mustangs, and even continued his love by playing on a championship touch football team. It was during this time that Bob developed strong bonds with friends, bonds that would continue throughout his lifetime and beyond. During the second quarter of his life, Bob took all the values he had learned and applied them to his life while raising his sons, Jim, Chad and Bret, and eventually his grandchildren, Jessica, Parker and Tag. His relationship with his children, grandchildren, mates, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends, and coworkers was one of continual love, hard work, commitment, and loyalty. During the third quarter of Bob's life, he took everything he loved and learned from football and gave it back to his other love, children. Bob always felt the need to give something back, that was important in his life. Bob took his love for kids, football and socializing and put it all together in one program, and that was the St. Francis Youth Football Program. Through this program, Bob impacted the lives of many children and young adults as he coached them not only about football, but about life. Unfortunately, Bob's fourth quarter ended early when he died on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2003, after battling a long illness. He will be joining his mom and dad, Irene and Maurice. Bob, however, lived his philosophy of life to the end - his strength, character, courage and loyalty to loved ones kept him in the game and always will. You can join Bob's family and friends in celebrating the memory of his life on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, in Madison. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with a memorial service from noon until 1 p.m., and a luncheon will follow.

Bob Snell's class year is based on information in the 1967 Tychoberahn, where he is listed among the members of the June graduating class.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 14, 2003