FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 1, 2015) -- Col. David Snodgrass, 49, formerly the director of Training at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, passed away June 20 while he was running with his son.
"Dave Snodgrass' enthusiasm for our profession and compassion for his fellow Soldiers were contagious," said Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, director, Army Capabilities Integration Center and deputy commanding general, Futures, Training and Doctrine Command. "He had a profound and positive influence across our Army because so many of our captains learned from and were inspired by his example."
Australian Sgt. Maj. Damien Perdon, sergeant major for the Directorate of Training, said mentorship was very important to Snodgrass.
"He read many books on being a better mentor as part of being a leader," Perdon said. "One of his favorite people to quote was Gen. Fox Connor, who wrote a book on mentorship. "He spent a lot of time with the instructors here, mentoring them not only in the workplace but also on a personal level as well," Perdon said.
"He was a larger than life presence - and not just because he was a very tall man," Perdon said. "He was confident and well spoken."
"We will miss him terribly, but his legacy will live on in all of us who were fortunate enough to know him as a friend and fellow Soldier," McMaster said.
Snodgrass served as the director of Training for the Maneuver Center of Excellence from 2012 until 2014 when he was assigned to the National War College in Washington, D.C., as military faculty.
"Col. Dave Snodgrass' reputation at Fort Benning speaks volumes about him," said Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence. "His work of teaching, training and mentoring our captains is his great legacy. His passing is a tremendous loss to us in the Fort Benning community and an even greater loss to the U.S. Army
Snodgrass graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1988 where he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.
His operational experience included serving as the deputy commanding officer of the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in Salah ad Din and Kirkuk, Iraq in 2008-09.
Snodgrass' awards and badges include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.
"David was truly loved by many. His legacy lives in the people he touched, his kindness extended to those less fortunate now ripples throughout many cultures and many countries," said Maj. Gen. Walt Piatt, director of operations, readiness and mobilization in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7. "But he loved his Family most of all. His faith and his Family were the source of his strength. All of us who knew David - knew his Family as well. Because before you could get to know him you learned about the important people in his life," Piatt said.
Snodgrass is survived by his wife, Cindy, daughter, Danielle, and son, Andrew. The funeral took place at Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville, Tennessee.
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