Charles D. Snodgrass

Charles Donehoo (Don) Snodgrass, Jr.

C. Don Snodgrass, age 99, died on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at his home, cared for by loving family. Don was born in Pittsburgh, PA and has lived in Orinda, CA for the past 60 years.

Don treasured his family and time with them. He is immensely loved and missed.

He attended schools in Williamsport, PA, Bellevue, PA, and Avalon, PA. Growing up, he was very involved, along with his family, in the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Bellevue, PA.

A World War II veteran, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, in the Pacific Theater. He was proud of his service and the medals he was awarded during that time.

While in the service, he and his future bride, Elsie Cashion, who he had gone to school with since the 7th grade, began writing to each other, developing their relationship. Soon after returning home, he and Elsie married, and then enjoyed 56 more years together until her death in 2003.

Don and Elsie raised two daughters, and lived in the Pittsburgh, PA area, and the Chicago, IL area before moving to Orinda, CA 60 years ago.

Don was an electrical engineer, and had a long career in the field of pole line hardware, including positions as Draftsman, Chief Engineer, and Manufacturers’ Representative. He ran his own business in the years before retiring, and emphasized that his work was about serving his customers.

Don enjoyed traveling and had been to 49 of our 50 states. He was often making jokes, and whistling and humming tunes. He was a collector of model trains, an enjoyment that began as a young child, and which he shared with his growing family, setting up his train layout under the tree each Christmas for over 75 years. He was a master at planning, organization, and attention to detail. He took great pleasure in creating an impressive set of “memory books” to document the big and little details of life that were important to him and his family through the years; family and friends shared countless special times bonding with him around these memories.

He was a lifelong Episcopalian, with a strong personal spirituality.

He is survived by his daughters, Donna Sanderson and Denise Wight; grandchildren, Heather Sanderson, Jenelle Wight, and Robert Wight; and two great-grandchildren.

Burial will be at Oakmont Memorial Park and Mortuary on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, with the service limited to immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity or organization.