Obituary
Often described as "larger than life," Perry James Snyderman passed away at his home on May 25, 2019, reuniting with his best friend and wife of nearly 50 years, Elaine Pomper Snyderman.
Although his death was unexpected, Perry Snyderman lived a good life, filled with loyal friends, a beloved family, a fulfilling career, and laughs and adventures that spanned the globe. He was a mentor and a civic leader, a lawyer and a businessman, a philanthropist and a cowboy.
He is survived by his daughter Michelle (Larry) Platt, Sol (Beth) Snyderman, and Robin Snyderman Pratt (Bernie Pratt), as well as his grandchildren Ryan Platt, Carol Platt, Allison (Michael) Fishman, Daniel (Mallory) Snyderman, Blaine Pratt, Shaune Pratt, Shane (Shelly) Pratt, and great grandchildren Taylor and Lucas Fishman, Jackson Snyderman, Sophia and Avery Pratt; his brother Dennis (Kareen) Snyderman, many beloved nieces and nephews and friends, including his dear friend and companion Adrienne Glazov. In addition to Elaine, he is pre-deceased by his brother Robert (Ilse) Snyderman.
Generous and wise, Snyderman lived life on his own terms.
He was born on the south side of Chicago in 1932, raised by his parents Max and Frances Snyderman in the South Shore neighborhood. He shared a bedroom with his brothers Bob and Dennis, and went to Hyde Park High School, where he met his future wife, Elaine. He earned his Bachelors from Bradley University, his law degree at DePaul, and served in the military during the Korean War. His first two children, Mimi and Sol, were born in Fayetteville NC, during his military service, where he also made lifelong friends. Indeed, Perry developed and maintained friendships with people from all of his life chapters.
A defining moment in his young adult life, of course, was his wedding. He married a spiritual intellect, undistracted by the popular culture, a student of art and literature who prioritized family. Her dad was ill, and the grand wedding and exciting honeymoon Perry had envisioned and saved for were cancelled in favor of a humble ceremony held at Elaine's father's home. On his wedding night, Perry learned that Max was his adopted father, that Bob and Dennis were technically "half" brothers, and that his birth father Paul Olefsky was killed when he and his mother were hit by a drunk driver during her pregnancy. Not upset with this news, and with characteristic loyalty, resilience and love, he rededicated himself to the wonderful Snyderman family and embraced the Olefskys, as well as his new in-laws.
Like family, hard work was a pillar of Perry's life. In the early days, as he was finishing law school, both Elaine and Perry worked three jobs to support their young family, including youth group work they did together at the Jewish Community Center. He landed his first real law job at Rudnick and Wolfe, then a small firm, where he enjoyed the tutelage of Harry Rudnick and Sydney Wolfe. The firm grew to become Rudnick Wolfe Snyderman and Foreman, but when Rudnick and Wolfe passed away, Snyderman and Foreman decided to embrace the firm's historic roots and personality, changing the name back to Rudnick and Wolfe. With Perry at the helm as managing partner, Rudnick and Wolfe grew from a small Chicago-based firm to one of the leading corporate and real estate firms in the United States. When Elaine became ill, he turned Rudnick and Wolfe over to Lee Miller, under whom it became the international DLA Piper firm it is today. During that same trajectory, Perry cofounded a business called Shell Group, hoping to make travel accessible to families of more limited means. He also shared his skills promoting both prosperity and equity in the civic realm through his work on various committees both in his hometown of Highland Park and for the State of Illinois during Governor Thompson's administration, utilizing his unique knack for tough negotiation and amicable resolution to effect positive change.
Even more than his beloved family and his awesome career, Perry will be remembered for his exuberant generosity and compassion. With his wealth, his wisdom and his grit, he supported countless individuals and organizations to succeed. The Jewish Community Center, Christel House, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and Housing Opportunity Development Corporation were just a sample of the charitable organizations he supported. Much of Perry's giving was anonymous or confidential; his desire to better the world and help individuals achieve their dreams motivated his philanthropy.. Snyderman loved people, their stories and their dreams. When Perry's kids and grandkids first meet people who knew him, they typically hear of how Perry helped them land their first job, overcome a key obstacle, or refine their vision for the future. This generosity of spirit, combined with the wisdom of experience, made Perry a role model and father figure for many beyond the Snyderman family.
Perry valued and engaged people regardless of their titles. As a lawyer and a businessman, he was equally valued by, devoted to, and irreverent with municipal and state leaders and their assistants, CEOs and the new talent, restaurant owners and waitstaff, doormen and mailroom staff. The longtime supervisor of Rudnick and Wolfe's mailroom, for example, got his start when he offered Perry a shoe shine on LaSalle Street. From his new position at the firm, he was ultimately able to send his children to college. Perry's intellect and curiosity were an inspiration to those who knew him. Not interested in physical fitness, Perry's exercise regime was all about the brain, reading all the newspapers, presidential biographies, political analysis, and historic fiction. He credited his parents and his wife for his strong moral compass, but his stubbornness was uniquely his own. Though he was opinionated, all topics were open for debate and his opinions evolved over his lifetime. He was inclusive and open-minded, and supported the open- mindedness of his children and extended family through international travel-- and mandatory advance reading. Every experience with Perry was an opportunity for lessons, often-heated discussions, and growth.
Perhaps one of Perry's most precious gifts to those who knew him was his ability to cultivate quality time and deep connections. Beyond the family vacations, each child and grandchild enjoyed numerous one-on-one traditions and adventures with Perry: bagels on Sundays, cigars on the deck, Cubs and Bears games, and -- in years past -- skiing, fishing and horseback riding. In addition, his progeny were the beneficiaries of one-on-one conversations, personalized advice, and characteristic acts of generosity. And these experiences were by no means limited to his family. From his weekly breakfast clubs to a full schedule of legal advising and dinner meetings, he made meaningful memories with hundreds of individuals. He lived his life fully, richly, and according to his values. His life of adventure and high points, kindness and philanthropy, family and friendships, will continue to inspire those whom he touched.
Chapel service, Monday 2 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For information or to leave condolences, (847) 255-3520 or www.shalom2.com.