Carl Sneed, 1921-2008

Published Thursday, March 20, 2008

Carl Miller Sneed Jr., 87, of Columbia passed away Friday, March 14, 2008, in a natural gas explosion and fire at his home.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

He was born Jan. 6, 1921, in Columbia to Carl Miller Sneed, an HEENT physician, and Elsie Bartlett Sneed, musician and psychologist.

Intensely curious and inventive, Carl Sneed Jr. pursued a wide range of interests throughout his life. Able to pilot an airplane before he could drive, his long-standing love of flying transformed into a career as a mechanical and aerospace engineer.

During World War II, he helped to design aircraft engines.

Later, he joined the faculty at the University of Missouri, married fellow faculty member Merna Fisher, and earned a Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan. He retired after a long career as a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Missouri.

In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, listening to music, using computers and working on do-it-yourself projects. After retirement, he and his wife traveled and continued their lifelong pursuit of learning through Elder Hostels.

Survivors include his wife, Merna Sneed of Columbia; daughters, Linda Sneed of Columbia, Dr. Pam Heath of Alameda, Calif., and Dr. Penny Sneed of San Francisco; son-in-law, Dr. Dan Kelly; grandchildren, Kieran Kelly-Sneed, Devin Kelly-Sneed and Caitlin Kelly-Sneed; and nephews Chris Olander and Tim Olander.

Donations may be made to the Missouri Undergraduate Engineering Scholarship Fund, Office of Advancement, W1006 Lafferre Hall, Columbia, Mo., 65211.

Arrangements by Nilson Funeral Home.