Steve graduated from UCLA with a B.A. degree in Economics and has lived in Seal Beach, California since 1972. After 36 years in national sales and sales management, he retired from Vision Service Plan (VSP) in 2009. Soon after his retirement, Steve began his quest to learn about the World War II experiences of his father, pilot Howard Snyder, and his crew of the B-17, Susan Ruth, named after his older sister. It became his passion and has resulted after several years of dedicated research in his book, Shot Down. One result of his new career as a World War II historian is that he is a member of numerous World War II associations and is Vice President of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association.

In 1994, he traveled to Belgium for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Liberation of Belgium with his parents and then again in 2004 for the 60th. His attendance at the 70th Anniversary Celebrations this August marked the official European launch of Shot Down.