Obituary: Forest products leader Chris Snavely

Christian Miller Snavely, Jr., the chairman emeritus of Snavely Forest Products , World War II veteran and past chairman of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association died Oct. 24. He was 88.

Snavely is remembered by friends and colleagues as a generous and well-respected business leader. He was elected chairman of the industry trade association, NAWLA, which honored him with the prestigious Mulrooney Award for outstanding contributions to the forest products industry.

Chris was born in Lititz, Pa., and enlisted in the US Army in 1942 and entered the European Theater where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Chris was captured there and remained a POW until his liberation in 1945.  He was honorably discharged in 1945, and recalled into service during the Korean War, where he served, 1950 to 1951.  

Among Chris Snavely’s many philanthropic endeavors were his active support of The Pittsburgh Symphony and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. He was the founder of the Haiti Tree Reintroduction Program (HTRIP), whose objective is the reforestation of Haiti. 

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Theresa Vant Snavely. He is also survived by his children Susan Fitzsimmons (David) and Steve Snavely (Peggy);  five grandchildren, Corinne Trively (Ed), Matthew Anderson, Patrick Snavely, Laura Snavely, and Eric Snavely.  Chris was the proud great-grandfather of Samuel Trively, Sophia Trively and Quinn Trively. 

Chris was preceded in death by his son Christian Miller Snavely III.