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1931 - 2021

BORN

1931

DIED

2021

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Marist School Emory University Medical College of Georgia

Joseph Snitzer Obituary

SNITZER, III, Dr. Joseph Albert "Joe"

Dr. Joseph "Joe" Albert Snitzer III, age 89, joined his Lord, peacefully and with dignity, from his home on the morning of January 18, 2021.

Joe, who was known by all who loved him as "Papa Joe", "Daddy", "Dr. Joe", or just "Joe", was born in Baltimore on September 6, 1931 and moved to Atlanta at the age of eleven. Joe graduated from Marist School in 1949 and then attended undergraduate at Emory University where he was a member of the Emory wrestling team and SAE fraternity. Joe graduated in 1953 with a degree in English and then served as a First Lieutenant, Transoceanic Navigator, in the United States Air Force until 1957 during the Korean War.

Upon discharge from the Air Force, Joe attended the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta from 1959-1964, completing medical school and an internship in pediatrics. He returned to Atlanta for his residency in pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine from 1964-1966.

In 1966, Joe entered private practice with Dr. Judd Hawk, forming The Children's Clinical Center. In addition to his private practice, Joe volunteered with the Atlanta Adoption Agency, the Gwinnett Community Health Clinic, Emory Pediatric residency program and started a one-man, free clinic in Lynwood Park, an underserved community in the Brookhaven area. Joe also worked closely with the Georgia state legislature to effect policy changes that benefited pediatric patients, particularly the treatment of hemophilia patients and the distribution of the German measles vaccine.

In 1983, Joe began a 28-year career on staff with Egleston Children's Hospital. His initial task was to develop a Hospitalist Service at Egleston, coordinating the patient care with an in-house staff of pediatric attending physicians and Emory's pediatric residents. He went on to hold numerous positions during his tenure at Emory: Associate Medical Director, Egleston; Chief of Medicine Service, Egleston; Chief of General Pediatrics, Egleston and President of the Medical Staff at Egleston. After his retirement in 2018, at the age of 87, Joe was awarded the position of Professor Emeritus. He continued to attend Grand Rounds and consult on patient care until his passing on January 18, 2021.

Joe was a humble and kind man. Joe's Catholic beliefs were deeply held and integral to who he was as a person. Most importantly, Joe lived his spirituality daily through his uncommon

acts of kindness and his universal respect for the people he encountered, regardless of their position in life. Joe didn't seek attention; but, when he spoke, he was quietly profound. Always intellectually curious, Joe constantly sought to gain knowledge. In addition to his family and friends, Joe's kindness, humility and intellect formed unique legacy in the hearts of former colleagues, students and patients.

Anyone who knew Joe Snitzer understood he sought to avoid the spotlight. With that said, Joe's awards & recognitions are almost too numerous to recite but included: The 1998 Society of Children's Hospital of Atlanta – The Pediatric Pioneer Award, as well as The Lifetime Achievement Award 2017; Emory University School of Medicine - Career Teaching Award 2016; Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics – The Leila D. Denmark Lifetime Achievement Award 2016; Children's Hospital of Atlanta Recognition – 50 Years of Service to Pediatrics; Residents' Teacher of the Year (1988, 1998-2001, 2007-2010); Emory University School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year (2010); America's Best Physicians (2002-2006); Children's Hospital of Atlanta – Hope and Will Award (2004); GAAAP Outstanding Achievement Award (2003); Marist School's Outstanding Alumnus (2002), Atlanta Magazine's Best Doctor List (1996-2002), and induction into Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the national medical honor society.

None of Joe's success would have been possible had he not married Elizabeth "Liz" Hallman in 1954. Joe believed his greatest accomplishment was his 66 years of loving marriage to Liz; together raising, with love and dedication, their 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 5.5 great grandchildren.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, J. Albert Snitzer II and Isabel Baker Snitzer; his brother, Charles D. Snitzer; his daughter, Laura Snitzer Boozer, and his grandson, Joshua W. Lemon.

Joe is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Hallman Snitzer; 3 children: Lynn Snitzer Lemon, Karen Snitzer Zucca (Scott), Joseph Lee Hallman Snitzer; son-in-law Russell W. Boozer (Cheryl); 9 grandchildren and 5.5 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law: F. Edwin Hallman (Peggy); sister-in-law: Mary Hallman Murdaugh (Harry); and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was dedicated to providing the best healthcare available to children and felt he could make the most impact through education and training of the men and woman who would go forth to provide that care. So in keeping with his life's mission, we ask that donations be given in Dr. Snitzer's memory to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. For those wishing to make a donation, please visit give.choa.org/josephsnitzer to make a donation.

Due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date when those he touched can gather together in remembrance of a life well lived.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Snitzer

13 Entries

Jerald Watts, M.D.

January 18, 2023

Joe Snitzer was a good man and a good doctor... That is all we can ask for our lives... Jerald Watts, M.D.

The Cruse Family

Planted Trees

Adela & Paul Frechette

January 29, 2021

Dear Karen,
There are no words to truly express our sadness in hearing of your Dad’s passing. Not only personally knowing your Dad through all our years of friendship, but the gratitude we will forever feel for our paths fatefully crossing again later in life and him saving our Little Leah’s life. Eternally grateful just isn’t enough and in reading the Man he was, you will always have that pride and love for him forever in your hearts!
Love,
Adela & Paul Frechette

Mike Peters

January 29, 2021

Lynn and Family

I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. He sure lived an extraordinary life and touched the hearts and lives of so many people. You and your family will be in my prayers.

The Shortridge Family

Planted Trees

Tony Smith

January 25, 2021

Dear Snitzer Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Dr. Snitzer. He was truly a gentleman and a scholar. What a wonderful physician, a kind man, and a great friend he was to the countless individuals that he touched! He was the Pediatrician for my niece and nephew (twins who were born prematurely). When my sister, Brenda, died very suddenly at the age of 38, he provided me with his personal phone number and told me to never hesitate to call upon him if I needed anything associated with my niece and nephew's care. I never forgot that genuine kindness and concern for our family. I also knew Dr. Snitzer through his work at Piedmont Hospital. I posted his obituary on our Piedmont Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association site last night upon learning of his death. He was well loved and well respected by our group. May the peace of God sustain you, and may His love surround you at this very difficult time of loss. You are in my prayers.

Carla and Rick Cruse

January 25, 2021

He was truly a gifted and blessed man. A man who dearly loved his family and they loved him so very much. Prayers for God’s peace and comfort for all the family.

Courtney Charvat

January 24, 2021

Dr Snitzer has touched countless physicians and patients/families, alike. He trained me as a pediatric resident and pediatric hospitalist fellow. I never felt prouder or more honored than when Dr. Snitzer would ask to join me and my resident/student team after Wednesday grand rounds. The honor of learning from arguably one of the best physicians - and humans - is too difficult to articulate. In just a few words, he would inspire an approach to a patient work up, a differential diagnosis, and a discerning physical exam maneuver to improve my education and, most importantly to him, the positive outcomes of our patients. I’m so grateful to have known him, and we should all be so lucky as to pass away still mentally sharp and peacefully at home with our loved ones. Sending love to his entire family, both blood and the family he cultivated with his dedication, good humor, and unparalleled deeds.

Love, Courtney Charvat

Mary Martin Bowen

January 24, 2021

Elizabeth, I am so sorry. Deepest sympathy. Mary Martin

Trina Kriss

January 24, 2021

Dr. Snitzer was pediatrician for my first 2 children from1982- 1986, (?) until he went out of private practice. My most vivid memory was in Feb 1982 when he came into the room at Piedmont Hospital after a grueling 24 hr labor &finally giving birth at 1:00 am and sat by my bed so calmly, reassuring me of my newborn daughters fine health..and it was like a mirage seeing him there at such a late hr. He sat and talked to me like he had all the time in the world. I will never forget that moment as a new young mother. He always spent time at our appointments answering all the questions I had for both my daughters. I never had him as our Dr. when my son was born several years later and no one could ever replace him as both physician and a kind intelligent man. I saw him recently in church at Sacred Heart and once had a moment to say hello..I am quite sure he didn't remember me. My heart goes out to his wife and children. He is with God and all the angels in heaven no doubt.

Jerald Watts, M.D.

January 24, 2021

I extend my sympathy and Best wishes to the family of Dr. "Joe" Snitzer... Many years ago (1964-196) We served at Emory /Egleston and Grady as residents, he in Pediatrics and I in Orthopaedics. Joe was an excellent, clear thinking and gentle physician, even in our training and he (a fraternity -SAE-brother) showed special, talent and a had a great way with the children... He had a distinguished career in medicine and his kind will be surely missed... Jerald Watts, M.D.

Marijo Yaun Culwell

January 24, 2021

I have fond memories of knowing and double dating with Joe and Liz when he was at Emory. We all had such fun that continued until he and Liz married and moved away. I remember driving by his house in Decatur as he and Liz were leaving on their honeymoon just after being married that day. I saw him on several occasions through the years, the last a DHS Reunion with Liz at Northlake. He was delightful to be around and I have missed contact with him and Liz in later years. My sympathy to Liz and all of his family. He touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed.

Lorraine Woodman

January 24, 2021

I first met Dr. Snitzer when my first child, Charles, was born in July 1966. Dr. Snitzer calmed a 20 year old new mother who had not been around babies before. We bonded and he got me through many traumas that young moms feel. My second child, Courtney, was born in 1969. At the age of five, he diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes and sent us to Emory. Dr. Snitzer was my rock. Again, he got me through many rough days. I sent him a letter two years ago trying to explain just how much he had helped me as my children grew up. My son is now 54 and my daughter is 51. Because of his caring ways, calling to check on us, health advice, they both have grown to be healthy, active adults. I often wondered if he got my letter. I hope so! God bless you, Dr. Snitzer.

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