Robert Duncan Sneed

Robert Duncan Sneed, the beloved husband of Margaret Sullivan Sneed, died on January 17, 2023, following a lengthy illness related to Parkinson’s Disease.  

Bob was born June 23, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Theo Wayne and Pauline Masdon Sneed.  During WWII, he spent his early years in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bob always considered himself a Sooner and remembered his childhood years in Tulsa with great fondness. Following WWII, the family moved to the Washington, DC area. Bob graduated from St. John’s College (high school) and George Washington University and started his own family.

Bob and his growing family crisscrossed the country several times as his career progressed. After settling in the Washington DC area, Bob quickly advanced at the Pentagon, before switching to serve as a professional staffer with the US Senate, first working on the Senate Budget Committee and then the Senate Science, Commerce, and Transportation Committee. During his 20+ year career on Capitol Hill, Bob formed many long-lasting friendships with staffers and Senators alike, including Senator Ed Muskie and Senator Fritz Hollings.  His friendship with Senator Fritz and Peatsy Hollings led him to spend time in Charleston and to purchase a vacation home on Sullivan’s Island, where he spent many happy times with his family.

Spending time in South Carolina also led to a serendipitous introduction to his second wife, Margaret.  Each was fortunate to have found the other, and their marriage was a joy for their families.  Bob was always a champion of the underdog, volunteering thousands of hours to different charities, including St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Washington, DC, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Meals on Wheels in Summerville, SC. He was a dedicated runner for over 50 years, loved to play bridge, and was an avid golfer. Participating in sports was a favorite pastime; he coached hill staff on winning softball teams, coached various youth sports teams, and played pick-up basketball every chance he could. Bob loved to watch sports of any kind; his encyclopedic memory let him recall sports statistics from games many years prior.

Bob is survived by his wife, Margaret. His children, Andrew (Myra) Sneed of VA, Kristin Sneed Taylor (Bernard) of VA, and MD, Kevin (Maria) Sneed of VA, and Robert (Angela) Sneed of SC. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachel Sneed (John) Zinn, Tyler Sneed, Alexis Sneed, Taryn Sneed, Christina Sneed, Francesca Sneed, and Isabella Sneed. He is also survived by his stepchildren Julia (Michael) Torrey of VA, Sarah (Jason) Krankota of CO, and Katie Vail of CO, and step-grandchildren John Krankota, Beth Krankota, and Peter Krankota, Margaret Torrey, and Charlie Vail and Ellie Vail.  Bob is also survived by sister Paula Harris of GA and brother Michael (Leigh) Sneed of VA. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Richard Sneed, Earl Sneed, and Theodore Sneed, and his first wife, Janice Baldauf Sneed, the mother of his four children.

Above all else, Bob was a follower of Jesus Christ, a devoted husband to Margaret, loving father, grandfather, stepfather, and step-grandfather. He was a staunch Democrat and a funny and supportive companion to his many friends and golfing partners.  Bob’s family would like to thank his caregiver, Ms. Lorraine Duberry, for her expert care and kindness throughout his illness and the professionals and aides of ProMedica Hospice, whose help and companionship made his days better and brighter.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and prayer service on Friday evening, January 20, 2023 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Parks Funeral Home in Summerville. Mr. Sneed’s funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA. Inurnment at Mepkin Abbey will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of St. John the Beloved, Meals on Wheels of Summerville, or So Others Might Eat, Washington, DC, will be gratefully accepted.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com

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