George W. Schnetzer III

1938 - 2025

George W. Schnetzer, III

Jun 8, 1938 - May 25, 2025

George W. Schnetzer III, M.D. (June 8, 1938 – May 25, 2025) died peacefully at home of Vascular Dementia. George was a noted Tulsa hematologist-oncologist with a broad range of interests and values grounded in modesty, compassion, and service.

Born and raised in Rochester, NY. A history major at Princeton he graduated cum laude. After medical school at the University of Pennsylvania, his post-graduate studies at the University of Michigan Medical School were interrupted when he was drafted into the US Army. He was deployed as the commander of a medical detachment in South Vietnam. George received the Bronze Star. His medical training resumed at the U of M, and he achieved Boards in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology.

He arrived in Tulsa in 1972 with his first wife, Dean, and their three young children, and began solo practice at Hillcrest. He initiated weekly medical multidisciplinary conferences and presentations on cancer and blood disorders. As a leader in cancer clinical research, education, and prevention, he was a Clinical Professor of Medicine at OU-Tulsa Medical College, and he obtained a grant to train nurses in Oncology When he retired, Cancer Care Associates had more than 40 board-certified physicians in 15 locations providing care to more than half of Oklahoma's cancer patients. George left the practice of medicine, but not the science; he remained on the Institutional Research Ethics Board at St. Francis. He was a voracious reader and passionate about education and the arts. He taught math for Women in Recovery. At the University of Tulsa, he was chair of the advisory boards of TURC and McFarlin Fellows, on the Visiting Committee of A&S, the Circle Society, and the President's Council. He was honored with TU's Distinguished Service Award in 2005. He was president of Chamber Music Tulsa and supported the Gilcrease Museum. George was President of All Souls Unitarian Church and had fun with "a bunch of retired guys rehabilitating houses." His friendships were steadfast. He and his second wife, Mary, were devoted gardeners, designing and maintaining an exceptional rose garden. Traveling near and far, Gorge thrived on museums, people, new foods, and new ideas. He enjoyed trekking, backpacking, sailing, skiing, the 15K Tulsa Run, the Michigan Wolverines, and the Golden Hurricane.

George is survived by his wife, Mary Helen Orr Lhevine; three children, Kim Schnetzer, David (Amanda) Schnetzer, and Susan Schnetzer; Mary's children Rhonda Wagnon, and Paul (Lorii) Lhevine; grandchildren, William, Reagan, Kate, Belle, Gigi, Antonia, and Zoe; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church, June 13, 2025, at 1:00 pm. Friends may honor George with memorial contributions to the Food Bank of Eastern OK.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151