Robert "Bob" Roland Snipes

Robert R. Snipes (Bob) 83, of Council Bluffs, IA passed away on April 15, 2015 after losing his battle to leukemia. Bob was born on October 21, 1931 into a family of 24 children and was the only surviving child into his death. At the age of 8, Bob learned to play rhythm, strumming a broom, while listening to his older brother Orville play guitar. At the age of 12, his mother and aunts got together to buy him his first guitar. Bobs dad, brothers and sisters all had an ear for music. His dad was a championship fiddle player in Missouri back in the early 1900s and started the first generation of the Snipes Brothers Band. Bob, in his early 20s was the lead guitar player in his first band that went on tour in California. Bob then started the Snipes Brothers Band in the late 50s and 60s that became one of the top country bands in Council Bluffs and Omaha. The Snipes Brothers consisted of his brother Hardy Snipes, now deceased, and his nephew Glenn Snipes. The band played with Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, John Denver, Hank Thompson, Jimmy Dean, Willie Nelson, The Everly Brothers and many other country music stars that came through Omaha. Bob played twin guitars with Roy Clark and played on the Max Sanders television show in the early 60s. The Snipes Brothers Band played at the Silver Tap Club for many years and then later at the Walking Cane. Bob wrote Rushing Teardrops and Rockin at Midnight that was both recorded by the Harland Brothers. He also played with songwriter Max D. Barnes who produced and won two CMA awards for song of the year. Bob was a barber by day and musician at night 6 days a week for many years. He continued his love of music into his 80s jamming with other retired musicians on weekends. Bob was married 50 years to his beautiful wife Barbara until her death in 2002. They raised five great children but Bob gave all the credit to Barb as he was working all the time. In 2003, Bob married Shirley. Shirley is a wonderful woman who has cared for Bob and stayed by his side until the end of his life. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 24 siblings, his wife of 50 years, Barbara Snipes and his son-in-law, Jim Combs. Bob is survived by his beautiful wife of 12 years, Shirley Snipes; children, Kathie & Tim Rice, Debbie Combs, Bob Snipes, Jr., Layna & Craig Beer, Larry Snipes; 12 grandchildren, Alan Larson, TJ & Joanne Rice, Chris Larson, Gini Larson, Tony Jordan, Lynsi Montgomery, Nikki Golden, Mike Larson, Alicia Snipes, Amanda Snipes, Kari Eitmann, Jake Snipes; 10 great grandchildren, Nathan Larson, Kaylie Ballinger, Natalie Jordan, Kodi Larson, Becka Larson, Chayse Montgomery, AJ Larson, Julian Golden, Jocelyn Rice, Amira Brame; Godparents, Ron & Marybelle McClellan. Vigil service is Friday April 24, 2015 5:30p.m. followed by visitation until 8:00p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday April 25, 2015 10:00a.m. at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles Catholic Church. Inurnment is in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.