Obituary of Robert Michael Pryor

Robert Michael Pryor, known as Bob, was born on April 13, 1945, to father, Thomas Pryor and mother, Bridget Theresa Pryor of Bronx, New York. He is predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Cormell Snapp Pryor, “Bette Snapp.” He is survived by his children, daughter, Shannon Elizabeth Kane Pryor and son, Thomas Benjamin Snapp Pryor; brother John (Jack) Pryor and sister-in-law Veronica (Ronnie) Pryor; nieces Hillary Pryor and Valery Sorvillo. 

Bob completed his undergraduate studies in Mathematics at Manhattan College before completing a Master’s Degree in Economics from Fordham University. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed at the Pentagon as a Specialist in the Capabilities and Analysis Division. During these years with friends from the Army, Bob began to experience hiking and camping in the American west, something very new to a kid from the Bronx. He was later employed at TWA (1970-73) and Pan Am (1973-1991) where he worked as Director of Government Affairs. After a number of years of freelance work, he established a second career as a Budget Analyst working for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs at the hospitals in Northport, Long Island and in East Orange, New Jersey.

Bob married Bette Snapp on November 1, 1977, in Roanoke Virginia. The two traveled frequently and entertained at their home in Glen Cove, New York. Shannon was born in 1979 and Ben followed in 1982. A steadfast watcher of The News Hour (MacNeil Lehrer News Hour, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer) and influenced by the struggles in Northern Ireland, Bob was increasingly concerned about social justice at home and around the world.

Service at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home in Glen Cove on Tuesday the 23rd of December at 1:00pm. Visitation from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Roanoke, Virginia, date to be determined.