Rick Snelling, a longtime Gilbert coach who led teams in basketball, softball and football, died July 12, according to a Facebook post from his wife, Crystal. 

“A post I never wanted to make, I just want to wake up from this nightmare,” his wife posted. “It is with a heavy heart and tears I come here to let all my FB friends and family know that he fought a good fight, but last night heaven gained another angel. Thank you all for your texts, prayers, calls, visits. Please continue to lift this family in your daily prayers. We know the days ahead will be hard and looking back they will probably be a blur, but please pray we can cling to the strength of our wonderful God, for he is not suffering anymore.”

No cause of death has been announced.

Snelling, whom Gilbert High School Athletic Director Chad Leaphart said coached for about two decades, was a popular figure in the Gilbert community, and his loss was felt immediately from some of his former players. 

“Never take a moment for granted,” Emily Marie Stalvey said on Facebook. “Coach Rick Snelling, you were one of the best mentors, coaches, and friend anybody could ask for. Thank you for always giving me advice & loving me like one of your own. Praying for the Snelling family as they go through this tough time.”

Snelling was an assistant softball and junior varsity boys basketball coach at Gilbert High and coached football at Gilbert Middle as well as recreational league teams in all of those sports.

Leaphart said Snelling’s generous character left a lasting impact in the Gilbert athletic community.

“He’s influenced and coached so many young people, boys and girls, over the years whether it’s football, baseball, softball, basketball, you name it,” Leaphart told the Chronicle. “He’s just been one of those people that are always ‘give, give, give’ and giving of his time to help the young people in our community be better in athletics and have the opportunity to play sports and things like that.”

Leaphart also praised Snelling’s willingness to help out and give back even when things weren’t going the best with him.

“He’s been willing to help even in the last couple of years. He stepped back a little bit from some of the coaching but he still did things he could do to help in our community and in our athletics programs like running the scoreboard on Friday nights or running the scoreboard for the softball team or keeping the book,” the athletic director said. “Even though his health was declining, he was always about helping and how he could help and how he could give back.”

One thing that also stood out about Snellings’ impact on the athletic community was his willingness to commit his time and coach kids at both the school and recreation level.

“You don’t see that often,” Leaphart said. “A lot of times there’s a separation between rec and school ball and things like that, but he was always a kind of guy that was a bridge between that. Especially with football and softball and basketball in particular. Those are probably the biggest three where he’s really coached at rec and at the school level.”

Gilbert High softball coach Sarah Minchew told the Chronicle she is thankful for the positive influence he had on the Gilbert community.

"Rick (Snelling, Sr.) was an incredibly devoted and caring individual who unselfishly and consistently gave his time to others," Minchew said. "His dedication and commitment to coaching went above and beyond any I’ve seen. He was involved with youth sports through the recreation leagues, as well as softball, basketball and football at Gilbert High and Middle schools. His reach on the Gilbert community was tremendous. I am personally thankful for all of his support through the years of Gilbert softball, and specifically, myself. His mentorship will be something for which I am forever grateful. As coaching and sports have changed over the years, and in some respects become increasingly more difficult, he has always reminded me to focus solely on the most important thing—the awesome girls I am fortunate to coach. His ability to encourage the appropriate perspective has always been invaluable to me."

She added that his love for the Gilbert community remains as a lasting legacy.

 “His example was one of always putting others first through selfless sacrifice and emphasis on the importance and value of community. He loved Gilbert and Gilbert loves the Snelling’s. His character can be seen in the impact on his own children, all of whom are also involved to some extent in coaching and giving back to others. His greatest legacy will most certainly be in how he and Crystal have raised their children to continue to give back in the same manner and with the same selfless devotion to others. Without a doubt, his impact will continue to be seen and felt.”