Charles Fisher Snyder Jr.

Dr. Charles Fisher Snyder, Jr.
Dr. Charles Fisher Snyder, Jr., 91, of Bethlehem, peacefully entered into Heaven on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Born in Bellefonte, PA, he was the son of the late Charles Fisher and Bertha Mae (Dietrich) Snyder. Charles was awarded the Eagle Scout in 1936. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1943 and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1946. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1952 and was a Battalion Commander for the 25th Medical Battalion in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. He was awarded numerous service medals including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. After the war he returned to the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania to receive his degree in Orthopaedic Medicine. He began to practice medicine in Reading, PA, and eventually moved to Bethlehem, where he had a private practice and performed surgery at St. Lukes Hospital. He served as the Chief of Orthopeadics at St. Lukes from 1971 to 1988 and as the Chief of Surgery at Muhlenberg Hospital in 1990. Charles belonged to numerous groups, including F &AM Lodge #22 in Sunbury, PA, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, the National Audubon Society, the American Forestry Association, American Ordnance Association, and the Honorary First Defenders. He served on many boards, including the Consistory of Bethany United Church of Christ, where he served as Consistory President, Lancaster Theological Seminary, the National Board of the United Church of Christ, Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales and the American Cancer Society. Charles was passionate about trains. He was most at home traveling on trains, photographing trains, and building model trains. He was also an avid photographer and videographer and has left a lasting collection of photos and videos for his family to enjoy. He carried on with his fathers passion for stamp collecting, Pennsylvania history, and genealogy. A highlight of his life were the special vacations taken with his family each summer. But most of all he will be remember as a loving husband and father, and caring doctor in the community. The family would like to thank the staff of Moravian Hall Square for the excellent care provided to Charles in his final months of life. Survivors: Charles is survived by his wife of 51 years, Louise Estelle (Kokolias) Snyder; daughters, Patricia Chupak and her husband, Michael, of Fairport, NY, Catherine Snyder Riggan and her husband, J. Simmons, of Lexington, NC; sons, John Snyder and his wife, Heather, of Bethlehem, Charles Snyder, III and his wife, Peggy, of Bushkill Township; 10 grandchildren, Deborah Caffrey, Michael Snyder, Peter Chupak, Matthew Chupak, Blythe Riggan, Cole Riggan, Colin Snyder, Jacob Snyder, Shannon Snyder, Philip Snyder; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia Coryell of Northumberland, PA. He was predeceased by his first wife, Charlotte (Kienzy) Snyder; a son, Michael Snyder; and two sisters, Dorothea and Barbara. Services: A viewing will be held Saturday, April 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden Street, Bethlehem, followed by a private burial. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 7, in Bethany United Church of Christ. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethany U.C.C., 600 W. Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, or the National Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.