Biography

CAPTAIN DONALD SNODGRASS, USN (RET)


Following graduation from the University of Illinois College of Agriculture in 1963, Don was drafted into the army. Electing instead to serve the Navy, Don was subsequently commissioned at the Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. He then commenced a 26 year career, retiring in January, 1989 with the rank of Captain. Sea assignments included eleven different ships, two of which he commanded. Highlighting Don’s shore duty was a tour in the Pentagon as Director, Amphibious Warfare Branch in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. While attending the Naval War College, he concurrently attained Masters degrees in management and strategic planning. Military decorations include the Bronze Star with Combat Insignia, Legion of Merit, and the Meritorious Service Medal.


From August, 1994 until November, 1996, Don served the University of Illinois in the position of Cooperative Extension Unit Director for Lee County and was responsible for planning and implementing educational programs for all residents. Concurrently, he authored six Internet web sites as well as taught numerous internet and computer technology courses. From August, 1997 until September, 2000, Don was Director of Operations and Customer Support for ProDoc, Inc., a legal document assembly software company near San Antonio, Texas. He built and led a team of ten in achieving a superior level of customer technical support, customer training, software testing, production and shipping, supplies procurement, facilities management and administrative support. Don then served the Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative as Coordinator, Adult Education Programs for Calloway County, Kentucky.


Don’s hobbies include physical fitness, amateur radio, vintage radio restoration, computers, RC Model Airplane flying, cooking, public speaking, graphic arts, audio experimentation, fish pond management and landscape horticulture. He is a also a designated Illinois Master Gardener. For several years he refinished furniture and operated a highly profitable antique business from Conover Village Antiques in Oregon, Illinois.

Don and his wife Pat live in the country near Metropolis, Illinois. Don contines to design websites. They have one son, Mark and two grandsons.

Equipment

See http://www.k4qky.com/kg9om/