In Loving Memory of Ryan Edward Snyder
September 19, 1984 – September 19, 2024
On September 19, 2024, our lives changed forever when Ryan Edward Snyder died in a tragic accident in Medellín, Colombia. As we mark a year without him, we choose to honour his life with gratitude—thankful for the time we shared with him.
Ryan lived a life rich with adventure, creativity, determination, and love. Born in Manning, Alberta, he was the youngest child of Paul and Leslie Snyder, with two older siblings. Family was central to Ryan’s life, and he carried a deep loyalty to his parents; siblings; nieces and nephews and their children; as well as his greater extended family and friends.
Ryan was born both charming and stubborn and was often bribed to try new things—an investment that paid off as Ryan became a passionate athlete. He embraced hockey, motocross, snowboarding, skateboarding, and snowmobiling.
A natural leader and entertainer, his presence lit up every room. He had a rare ability to draw people in, make them laugh, and leave them feeling valued. This included giving people nicknames. To friends, he was “Snides.” With his brother Jared, the duo became “Big Snides” and “Little Snides.” Within his circles, he nicknamed everyone—reflections of the closeness, teasing, and affection Ryan cultivated so easily.
Ryan’s work ethic started early: cutting grass at age 10, running the Chilly Moose ice cream bike, and working at local Manning businesses. He co-founded a busy DJ business, Clarity Sound, with Jared. After graduating from PRHS, he pursued Instrumentation & Electrical at NAIT, becoming a journeyman known for meticulous craftsmanship—with tubing that looked “manufactured” it was so precise.
In 2010, Ryan bought Western Canadian Soda Blasting, teaching himself the trade and restoring log homes and heritage buildings such as Edmonton’s Mercer Tavern and the Oldtimers Cabin. Nine years later, he sold the company to return full-time to poker.
By his early twenties, Ryan had already been profiled in Canadian Poker Player magazine and went on to compete internationally. Poker was more than competition—it was community. He launched projects like 780 Poker and the Alberta Poker Index, connecting and rewarding players, sponsors, and casinos. He became an agent for online companies, mentored players, and beta-tested new platforms. Respected for his intelligence, sportsmanship, and authenticity, tributes came from around the world when he passed.
Travelling extensively through North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, Ryan made friends everywhere he went. In 2019, poker brought him to Panama, where he invested in coastal property and began leaning into his goals as he prepared to co-manage a poker room in a posh downtown hotel.
Ryan lived with intention. He practiced fitness, yoga, meditation, and daily affirmations—often posting his “50 push-ups a day” alongside motivational messages. Online followers still miss his inspirational morning posts, which encouraged them to chase their dreams.
Ryan lived generously. From childhood, when he raised $32 for children in Rwanda, to adulthood, when he tipped freely or gave people a hand up by helping them find work—generosity was his hallmark.
Ryan respected people for who they were, not what they had. He listened without judgment, made others feel seen and valued, and often believed in people before they believed in themselves. As one friend shared:
“Ryan was cool, but he made everyone else feel cool too.”
“Our good works are like stones cast in the pond of time.
Though the stones themselves may disappear, their ripples extend to eternity.”
Ryan’s impact is best measured in the lives he touched. His ripples extend far beyond what we can see—into communities, friendships, and moments of courage inspired by his example.
A Celebration of Life was held on November 2, 2024—Ryan’s 40th birthday—in Manning, Alberta. Family and friends shared stories indelibly etched into all of our hearts. His courage and inspiration live on as we work to live in ways that would make him proud.
#WWRD – What Would Ryan Do?
He’d be encouraging, generous, authentic, humorous, and bold.
Ryan is survived by his parents, Paul and Leslie Snyder; his siblings Kristi (Rob Sawers) and Jared Snyder; nieces & nephew Shanell, Kearra, Bowden & Tyra Sawers; extended members of the Snyder, Sawers & Harbourne families; and countless friends from across the world.
As Ryan once wrote:
“If you could do anything in the world, what would that look like?
Dream big and let’s make it happen, friends.”