Large Life in a Small Town

Life stories fascinate me. While some people lead more diverse lives than others, I am convinced that everyone has an incredible story to tell… if they will just tell it. So I often sit down with friends and family (and sometimes even strangers!) just to listen. And as I listened to Glenn’s life, the only word to describe it is “epic.”

But it wasn’t necessarily his experiences that made it epic—it was his attitude.

Glenn lived his life like the old western heroes he enjoyed so much. There was purpose and excitement around every corner. So Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he grew up, became his own personal frontier for fun and adventure. He told me countless stories of his young life. And whether or not they were all true, what I gathered most were not facts about his life, but how his outlook made every experience larger-than-life.

Picture by Harald Finster. Used with permission.

Glenn knew he was going to be a “steel man” from early on. Those plans were put on hold briefly while he served in Vietnam. That was the only portion of his life he rarely told stories about. But once he returned home, it was all about working for Bethlehem Steel. Yet it wasn’t just a job. It was bigger than that. It was destiny. And while I knew him, any time Jimmy Dean’s song, “Steel Men” came on, Glenn would perk up and say, “Here’s my song!”

But Glenn did far more than just work a blast furnace. He owned a small television repair business, he had rental properties for a while, he shook things up while serving on the local school board and he and his wife raised a family of four kids together.

As Glenn galloped across the screen of his ordinary life, he chose to become his own hero. He lived larger-than-life, ennobling the simple, everyday things and found worth and adventure in doing them. I cannot help but appreciate my own life more from having known him.

Horizons

I am always thankful for those people in my life who expand my horizons. Glenn Snyder would certainly fall into that category.

When I began working at Walkers, I listened to Christian rock music from the eighties and Tony Orlando and Dawn. I thought my tastes were quite broad. But Glenn, who had very unique tastes in music, movies and television, introduced me to far more.

Glenn was very passionate about his music and everyone knew it. So while we all took turns (or vied for a turn!) to choose the music, our co-workers always made a point of playing some of his every day.

I had vaguely heard of Tennessee Ernie Ford and knew Johnny Cash as “the guy who sang Ring of Fire.” But soon I was able to recognize Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Walter Brennan. I still remember the first day I heard Gordon Lightfoot. “Who is this?” I asked Glenn. “It’s great!”

I soon learned words to the classic ballads and joined Glenn in singing “Red Headed Stranger” and “Big Iron” and so much more. The more I listened, the more I appreciated his tastes in music. When Glenn realized how much I was enjoying it, he began bringing me CDs of his old music which he had collected over the years.

I still listen to those often. It is great music and they bring back good memories of times with my friend and co-worker.

Apart from music, Glenn also introduced me to more old western movies and television shows than I could possibly name. Not only did I enjoy being able to share those with him, but I know he enjoyed having someone to share them with.

I’m glad I was open to what Glenn had to offer. My life is richer for it.