Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Snyder received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from College of Wooster in 1937 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1940.

He enlisted in the United States Army October 27, 1942, and served as a Warrant Officer until December 1945.

He was an Assistant United States Attorney of the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1958 to 1961.

[2] Snyder was nominated by President Richard Nixon on March 6, 1973, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge Joseph F. Weis Jr.

Snyder served in that capacity until his death on May 11, 1980.