Judge Harry G. Snyder
Retired Judge Harry G. Snyder
District II Court of Appeals
Waukesha County Circuit Court
Retired District II Court of Appeals Judge Harry G. “Spike” Snyder passed away on February 23. He was 85.
Snyder was first appointed to the District II Court to Appeals in 1991 by then-Gov. Tommy Thompson, and served until his retirement in 2010. He had previously served on the Waukesha County Circuit Court from 1980 until his appointment to the Court of Appeals.
Prior to taking the bench, Snyder served as an assistant district attorney for Waukesha County, and worked in private practice. He also served as a State Representative for the Wisconsin State Assembly for six years. During his time in the Legislature, he served on the Legislative Conference Committee that approved the constitutional resolution that reorganized the court system in 1978, and led to the creation of the Court of Appeals.
After graduating from Marquette University Law School, Snyder served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force, and was designated a NATO Trial Observer by the U.S. Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey. After leaving active military duty, he served as a staff judge advocate and a USAF military judge until his retirement from the military in 1991.
Snyder is survived by his wife, Rose Mary; three children; and five grandchildren.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov