Alert – Air Force veteran, 42, dies suddenly of heart attack while rocking his baby daughter to sleep, with widow now too distraught to erect family’s Christmas tree

A father-of-six died suddenly while rocking his baby daughter to sleep in suburban Kansas.

Michael Snyder, a 42-year-old Air Force veteran, suffered the unexpected heart attack on December 2 at his home in Gardner.  

With Christmas just weeks away, his family has been left reeling, after losing whom they called ‘a pillar of strength, a loving spouse, and a devoted father who touched all the lives of those around him.’

His wife, Alicia, and eldest daughter, Merie, are among those struggling, and spoke in an emotional interview where they said it’s impossible to imagine both life and the holiday without him.

His five other kids, including baby girl Lily, did not join, but were also said to still be in mourning over the loss. A man who served his country from 2003 until 2009, Snyder was said to be in good health in the days before his death.

Michael Snyder, a 42-year-old father-of-six, died while rocking his baby daughter Lily – seen here at right with mom Alicia – to sleep in Kansas on December 2. His death was sudden, and has left the family – seen celebrating Christmas last year – reeling before the holidays

His wife, Alicia, and eldest daughter, Merie, are among those struggling, and spoke in an emotional interview Monday. Both said it’s impossible to imagine life without him

‘Christmas was his favorite holiday,’ wife Alicia recalled to KCTV 5 Monday, joined by her eldest daughter in the family’s living room, where some of the younger children could be seen sitting in the background.

‘So, him not being there is a huge loss. He was our rock and our guidance – I was just saying he was my compass.’

The mom went on to reveal how the family had yet to set up a tree since the fateful day, and are struggling to keep their composure as her husband’s favorite time of year approaches.

‘I don’t know if I can do this. Like, I’m being honest. I don’t know if I can do this,’ she said, fighting tears as she spoke.

‘This is really hard,’ she added, before being embraced by her teenage girl.

She, however, said that she did take solace in the fact that Snyder – said to be a goofy, fun-loving personality – died doing what he did best: being a dad.

His death, still, has stunned the family – leaving not only an emotional toll, but a financial one, due to its unexpected nature.

‘Michael’s passing has placed a considerable financial burden on our family,’ they wrote in a GoFundMe, which noted how ‘Funeral expenses and the uncertainty of the future, has created a challenging situation for the Snyder family.’

The mom went on to reveal how the family had yet to set up a tree since the fateful day, and are struggling to keep their composure as her husband’s favorite time of year approaches

The two also revealed that Snyder had served his country in the Air Force, from 2003 to 2009. An undated photo posted to Alicia’s Facebook shows the fallen father in uniform, as they continue to mourn his loss

They explained how his death stunned the family – leaving not only an emotional toll, but a financial one, due to its unexpected nature

His wife did say that she took solace in the fact that Snyder – said to be a goofy, fun-loving personality – died doing what he did best: being a doting dad to his kids

‘Michael was a pillar of strength, a loving spouse, and a devoted father who touched all the lives of those around him,’ relatives wrote of Snyder in a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs following his passing

Posted the day after Snyder’s passing, the fundraiser recently exceeded its $10,000 goal, after Alicia and others shared some insight into the father’s background.

A section reads: ‘Michael was a pillar of strength, a loving spouse, and a devoted father who touched all the lives of those around him. 

‘He was also an Air Force Veteran who proudly served his country from 2003 until 2009,’ it went on to reveal.

‘Michael was more than just a parent,’ it continued. ‘[H]e was a source of inspiration, guidance, and unwavering support. His kindness, generosity, and warm spirit left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.   

‘He dedicated his life to his family, always putting their needs above his own… [and] his sudden departure has left a significant void in our lives.

‘As we navigate through this difficult time, we are reaching out to our extended community for support,’ the memorial added.

‘Your generous donations will go towards covering funeral and medical expenses, as well as providing some financial stability for our family as we navigate through this difficult period.

‘Michael was more than just a parent,’ it continued. ‘[H]e was a source of inspiration, guidance, and unwavering support. His kindness, generosity, and warm spirit left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him’

‘He dedicated his life to his family, always putting their needs above his own… [and] his sudden departure has left a significant void in our lives,’ a section of the memorial, which has successfully raised more than $10,000, said

The family added that they buried Snyder this past Friday with military honors, at Woodland Cemetery in Mound City, Kansas.

He worked as a medical software senior consultant, and married Alicia at a ceremony in Olathe on in 2020, the family said. Alice is seen here with their youngest Lily

‘Thank you for your love, kindness, and support.’

Merie, meanwhile, also spoke on Monday, and said some kind words on how she’ll remember her dad.

‘I want to be able to remember him as the biggest role model in my life, how silly he was, and how he was always there for me,’ she said, as she and Alicia cycled through old family photos while continuing to cope.

The family added that they buried Snyder this past Friday with military honors, at Woodland Cemetery in Mound City, Kansas.

An official obituary further revealed how Snyder was born in Seoul, South Korea, and was adopted by American couple shortly after his birth in 1981. 

He graduated from Jayhawk Linn High School in Kansas and earned a Masters of Science in Performance Improvement, with distinction.

He worked as a medical software senior consultant, and married Alicia at a ceremony in Olathe on June 19, 2020, the family said.

‘Michael loved spending time with his wife and kids,’ the memorial read. ‘He was a big sports fan and loved the Chiefs. Michael enjoyed working out, spending time at the gym and cooking. 

‘He liked playing the video game Diablo with his wife and collecting sports cards and Pokemon cards. 

‘He lived and breathed the embodiment of family.’

‘I want to be able to remember him as the biggest role model in my life, how silly he was, and how he was always there for me,’ daughter Merie said, as she and Alicia cycled through old family photos while continuing to cope

An optimistic Alicia on Monday, however, added: ‘Today the sun was out and shining, and I’m like, I got to get stuff done

‘I drove her to school, and I was like, look, honey, daddy is shining down on us today,’ she added, after sharing an embrace with her daughter. Some of Synder’s other kids – Ella, Evelyn, Gage, Micah and Lily – were seen sitting in the background

The tribute further stated how he is survived by his wife Alicia, and mother Vicky, who also lives in Gardner.

His children, Merie, Ella, Evelyn, Gage, Micah and Lily were also all mentioned.

Alicia recently wrote on social media: ‘Waking up this morning wishing and praying with all my might that today would never come or that it was just a nightmare. I reach for you in the night because I’m cold…’

‘I look for you when I’m shopping for groceries… I wait for you to open my car door… I find something funny that I know you’d like and would make you smile,’ she continued.

‘My love, the hole in my life will never be filled now that you are gone. We loved such a full life together, always doing something or going somewhere. I am so glad I always obsessively took pictures, because those are now the only way I will be able to see your handsome face.

‘I know they say one day at a time, or one step, or one breath.. But you are my day. You held my hand with every step . And you are the breath I breathe.

‘I miss you and I love you so much.’

An optimistic Alicia on Monday, however, added: ‘Today the sun was out and shining, and I’m like, I got to get stuff done.

‘I drove her to school, and I was like, look, honey, daddy is shining down on us today.’