The New Kid on the Block

The summer of 2005, I was very excited about life and the future. At 19, I had just completed my first year at Philadelphia Biblical University and was on my way to a bachelor’s degree in Bible. My ultimate goal was a doctorate and becoming a professor myself. I was also engaged to my best friend from childhood, Hannah Joy, and we planned to get married following my second year of school.

But for that summer, I needed a job.

My father had worked for a small organ business in Pennsylvania, Walker Technical Company, for many years before becoming a missionary. He spoke to his good friend and owner about a summer job for me and I was hired right after school ended.

Since it was only a temporary position, they put me to work in the Warehouse doing random jobs to pass the time. But in July, I suddenly realized I didn’t want to go back to school in a month! I enjoyed working and also spending lots of time with Hannah. The thought of diving into another school year, preparing for the wedding (which we had since moved up to Christmas) and living over an hour away from Hannah just sounded awful to me.

So I asked if there would be a more permanent position available. They said they could use me in the main shop, where the electronics and console assembly happened. I was excited and started work in the shop a week later.

I had spent a lot of time there as a child while my dad worked overtime on the weekends. He used to let me melt solder at a workbench or play with my cars on the ramp next to his desk. Though the shop had seen many changes over the years, I still felt somewhat comfortable there.

Inside the main entrance, where the tractor used to be, there were now offices. Next came a large open area for console production and then a long row of testing equipment. Up the ramp to where my dad and the other engineer's desks used to be, there were now production benches for electronic assembly and stuffing and testing boards. That’s where I met the four characters I would soon become very familiar with.

There was an older, somewhat confused, temp woman doing who-knows-what, a firebrand drama queen stuffing boards, a board tester/service technician with a wry sense of humor, and finally, the leader of the pack and by far the most intimidating, was Glenn.

His gruff manner, large shoulders and huge hands stood out to me from the beginning. He was not necessarily unshaven, yet far from clean shaven. He almost looked dirty, but wasn’t, and always smelled of cigarette smoke. But instead of the disgusting smell of cheap cigarettes, it was actually kind of a nice smell to me and reminiscent of a certain neighbor's house growing up.

I said to Glenn with a smile, "So, do you have something for me to do?" He slowly looked me over, and then said gruffly, "So you're the one. All right, let's get you to work."

Remembering Glenn

This is the kind of story that starts at the end. On Wednesday, June 22, 2011 my good friend, Glenn Snyder, passed away at a local nursing home. I had known Glenn for nearly six years, but it felt a lot longer. Since his passing, I have spent much time thinking about him, the life he lived, and the memories he left me. This blog is a way for me to work through those memories and put them down so they will not be forgotten.

Glenn Snyder, 1948-2011