James V. Snyder M.D.

We are sad to report the passing of James Victor Snyder M.D. on 12-31-23. He is survived by wife Ann, daughter Catherine (Curt) Coulter of Oakmont, Pa., son Robert (Lori) Snyder M.D. of Columbus, Ohio, and grandchildren Caroline and Benton Snyder and Knox and Watts Coulter.
Jim was born January 13, 1941, to Dr. Charles W. and Virginia Wescott Snyder in Philadelphia, Pa. He received his B.S. in Biology from Dickinson College in 1962 and Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College in 1965. A 2nd Lt in the United States Navy, Jim received training in Anesthesiology and served as a staff physician at Camp Lejeune and the Naval Training Base in Orlando. Plans to return to Jefferson to complete his training changed upon meeting Peter Safar, M.D., a pioneer in Critical Care Medicine. Jim instead completed his residency and fellowship in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Presbyterian University Hospital, now UPMC, where he served on staff through 2006. He co-authored Oxygen Transport in the Critically Ill, along with Michael R. Pinsky, M.D. in 1987, and served as Division Chief of Critical Care Medicine from 1990-98. Jim retired in 2006 though he continued to teach intubation technique to CCM fellows through 2022. Jim was continuing to work on his airway research with Steve Orebaugh, M.D. until his death.
An adventurer at heart, Jim attended Outward Bound trips and obtained a Black Belt at age 70. We have fond memories of our times on the water at Cheat Lake, skiing at Snowshoe and a cross country trip through Canada and the northern U.S in 1981. He and his wife Ann enjoyed time post-retirement in West Palm Beach, Florida and Sedona, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.
Plans for a Memorial Service at Longwood at Oakmont in the spring will be forthcoming.
Arrangements entrusted to the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., Oakmont.