Bradley Snapp Obituary

Brad’s Story

Bradley Eugene Snapp was born June 16, 1954, in Wichita, Kansas to William (“Bill”) Arthur Snapp and Lenore Belle Walton Snapp. Brad followed two sisters, Judy and Joyce. Later another sister, Kimberly, was added to the family. His parents moved from Highland, KS to Wichita, to pursue employment in the aircraft industry during the war years. Brad’s sturdy work ethic was largely formed by watching his faithful parents.

During his high school years, Brad was immersed in Scouting, ultimately becoming an Eagle Scout. He was encouraged by his father who was one of the community’s Scouting leaders. Brad credited Scouting with piquing his interest in cooking. He learned how to bake his famous pies from his mother. His love of wood and wood working can be traced to the hours he spent in his High School shop class. After High School, he worked a number of jobs, but had the most fun house painting with Leland Doty and Company.

Brad went to church with his parents as a child, but in his teens, he lost interest. One summer, a Lay Witness team came to their church. His parents offered to house two of the team members, so Brad felt obligated to go. He recalled that the team members talked about having a relationship with Jesus “like He was a person.” Brad began to realize two things: his life was not going very well, and a personal God cared about him. That night, he acknowledged his sin and need of a Savior. He asked God to forgive him and be Lord of his life.

Brad met Ruth (Harder), who became the love of his life, at a First Free College and Career class Bible study. They ended up sitting together (unplanned) and each discovered that the other was easy and enjoyable to visit with. Brad intended to ask Ruth out after that evening, but ran into two obstacles. Ruth had to leave for a Nurses Christian Fellowship conference in California days later, and Brad had a nasty bicycle tumble. He waited to pursue a friendship until Ruth came home and he recovered.

As they became better acquainted, Ruth encouraged Brad to pursue further education. In the fall he enrolled in a “trial course” (English 101) at WSU to see if he could do the work. He aced the class. Immediately after finishing his Bachelor’s degree, he began working on a Master’s Degree in Gerontology.

Brad and Ruth were married December 4, 1982. Brad continued painting with Mr. Doty and went to school. Ruth led the local ministry and traveled with Nurses Christian Fellowship. After four years of waiting for children, an opportunity came for them to adopt a son. They named him Christopher Matthew. As he grew, they told him “We would never have looked for or found you if we’d had children of our own.”

Brad’s studies in Gerontology led to his passion for affordable housing. He began at Mennonite Housing as asset manager, then served as Sedgwick County Housing Director, and finally worked until retirement as Assistant Director of Wichita Housing and Community Services.

During his time at the County and City, he volunteered as a Big Brother, met and affirmed grade schoolers in the USD 259 “Read to Succeed” Program, participated in the Point-in-Time homeless count, and was seconded to the United Way in their Loaned Executive Program.

Chris had a close relationship with his Pops. Brad and Ruth were delighted to welcome their daughter-in-law, Heather, to the family and in time were overjoyed when a beautiful granddaughter, Olive, was born. She called Brad Papa, and the two shared a special bond. One of the best memories the family had together was a trip to Cedar Campus on the shores of Lake Huron.

Brad died unexpectedly early Friday morning, October 17, 2025. He was a good, kind, generous, faithful, and caring man—now face to face with the Lord Jesus, whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Judy Gill and Kimberly Snapp. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth; son, Christopher; daughter-in-law, Heather; granddaughter, Olive; sister, Joyce Snapp, and nephews and nieces.

Brad, you are greatly loved and will be dearly missed. We will see you again.

To watch the celebration of life service for Brad, please click on the following link: Brad Snapp Celebration of Life Livestream