By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ronald Duane Snell, who taught mathematics at Mariemont High School for 30 years, was an inspiration to his students.

When the Mariemont High School Class of 1964 celebrated its 25th reunion, the classmates presented their former teacher with a plaque for his contributions.

It was one of Mr. Snell's most treasured gifts.

"He was at his best when he was teaching," said his wife, Joyce Snell of Milford. "He was an inspirational man - as a teacher, husband, father, grandfather and friend."

Mr. Snell died April 14 at his winter home in Naples, Fla., from complications after a fall.

The lifelong Milford resident was 72.

Mr. Snell, whose family has lived in Clermont County for seven generations, graduated from Milford High School in 1948. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War era, stationed mostly in England.

After leaving the military, Mr. Snell enrolled in the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education in the 1950s.

He began working as a mathematics teacher at Mariemont High School in 1961.

For several summers, he taught math to high school teachers at the University of Illinois' National Science Foundation Institute for High School.

He also taught math at UC's Raymond Walters College, and at a summer institute at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind.

Active in the Republican Party, Mr. Snell was a precinct chairman and on the county executive committee.

He also served on the Milford Board of Education and was a member of the Milford Area Historical Society, the Ohio Education Association, the National Education Society and other groups.

He served on the executive committee of the Ohio Education Association in Columbus for four years.

Mr. Snell was a former president of the Miami Township Emergency Medical Association Board of Directors.

A member of Milford First United Methodist Church, he taught Sunday school there for several years.

In 1991, after he retired, he and his wife spent several months of the year at their condo in Naples, where Mr. Snell enjoyed golfing.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Joan Mell of Milford and Lisa Snell of Rising Sun; two sons, David of Milford and Douglas of Sarasota, Fla.; a brother, retired Lt. Col. Richard Snell of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and eight grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Milford.

Memorials: Milford First United Methodist Church, 541 Main St., Milford, OH 45150-1172