Class of: 1965
Deceased: 2017-07-12

Bob (or Bob Tom, as he was known as a child) was born in 1944 in DeLand, and spent his childhood years in Jacksonville, where his father served as pastor of Arlington Baptist Church. Bob graduated as valedictorian of Terry Parker High School in 1961, then returned to DeLand to attend Stetson University. He attended medical school on scholarship at Vanderbilt University. In 1966, Bob married Gwen Knight of Jacksonville. Dr. Snowden completed his internship in general surgery and a residency at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. During that time, he served as an orthopedic surgeon for two years in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of major.

In 1976, the Snowden family moved to Pensacola, where Bob went into practice with Gulf Coast Orthopedics, specializing in reconstructive joint surgery. In 2009, he joined the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics & Sports Medicine as director of their newly established total joint surgery program. He retired in 2013. Dr. Snowden was a member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, and president of The Society for Arthritic Joint Surgery, and was recognized as one of the ‘Best Doctors in America’ for many years. Bob was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, to which he and Gwen belonged for more than 35 years. He was first elected an elder of the church in 1986 and served on the session in many capacities. He was an accomplished pianist and trumpet player, and, for several years, sang baritone in the Fiesta Barbershop Chorus. But Bob’s greatest passion was his family. He adored his wife, loved his children, and doted on his grandchildren. At family gatherings, he could be relied on for his easy smile, silly faces, and meticulously crafted caramel ice cream.