Alfred Hiram Snap Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Alfred Hiram Snap, age 99, of Asheville, died on May 5, 2022. Born in Forreston, Illinois in 1922, he was the son of Albert Snap and Ora Snap. Al grew up in Freeport, Illinois, and graduated from Freeport High School in 1940. Al was very musically inclined and enjoyed playing trumpet in the high school band. During Alfred's junior year in high school, he began playing trumpet in the 129th Infantry Band of the 33rd Division Illinois National Guard. In March of 1941, he was called to active duty. In August of 1942, the 129th Infantry and the band found themselves headed for the South Pacific area of combat. He was in a variety of combat situations including the beachhead on the island of Bougainville in the fall of 1944. After coming home from the war in 1945, Alfred entered the University of Illinois at Champaign, Illinois, and majored in the field of English. He continued his interest in music and played in the University Marching Band and also played in dance bands in the area. Alfred met his wife Norma Tanner, also an English major, in one of their classes together. They became engaged and then were married in 1950. Al received a Bachelor of Arts degree in The Teaching of High School English in 1949 and a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from the University of Illinois in 1950. In August of 1950, Alfred and Norma moved to suburban Chicago where he taught classes in English until 1965 at Arlington High School. At that time in 1965, he was chosen to become the Director of Reading and the Coordinator of English for the several district high schools. He did this until he retired in 1980. In 1980, Al and Norma moved to Asheville, North Carolina where he became an adjunct member of the Asheville Buncombe Technical College, teaching courses in the English department, and establishing individual counseling in study skills improvement. Alfred did this teaching method for ten years from 1980 to 1990 and then he retired from the teaching field. During Alfred's years in Asheville, he was active in the Central United Methodist Church where he had served on committees such as the Administrative Council and Finance Committee, in addition to many committees in the Sunday school class. Surviving is his son, Stephen Snap. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. His wife, two brothers, and three sisters preceded him in death. No services or memorial events are planned at this time.

Tributes

Alfred Hiram Snap

August 19, 1922 - May 5, 2022