All About Chief

Bob Snarski, “Chief”, has been the Unit chief at Starbase Rutland since 2003.  He thoroughly enjoys working with his team, Wildflower and Jade and is passionate about bringing the Starbase experience to as many kids in southern Vermont as possible.  Chief learned about Starbase while he was a 4th grade teacher at Clarendon Elementary and organized two summer sessions from Northern Vermont to bring the program to his school.  He also “twisted the arms” of former Senator James Jeffords and Doug Gilman “Coach” to establish a Starbase in Southern Vermont.  This turned out to be an action that turned a dream into reality.

Chief is a long time educator with both BS, and Masters Degrees in education from Castleton State College.  He was a principal for 21 years and also a 4th grade teacher, leaving public schools after 35 years to work at Starbase.  Chief served 22 years in the Army Reserve as a Military Policeman and a Senior Instructor for the USAR School of the 76th Division retiring as a Master Sergeant.

Besides being the Unit Chief at Starbase, he has served in the Volunteer Fire Service in his hometown of Shrewsbury Vermont for 38 years of which 21 years he was “Assistant Chief” and five years as “Chief.”  “Chief” also was the first “Chief of Academy” of the Vermont State Firefighters Cadet Fire Academy, and served to introduce young men and women to the fire service for 8 years. (Do you still wonder where he got the call sign?)

Outside of Starbase, Chief officiates Baseball and Soccer at the high school level. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 38 years Sally “Sarge”, and their 3 spaniels.  Chief is an Eagle Scout, and likes boating, fishing, hunting, and collecting and shooting antique military firearms. He is also an avid Red Sox fan and enjoys NASCAR racing and college hockey.