Dr. Charles Van Snider's Obituary
Charles Van Snider, 85, of Germantown, died on October 25, from complications of heart failure. Born to Frances Vineyard and Charles Frederick Snider on March 15, 1937, in Knoxville, TN, he attended Knoxville East High School and played basketball for the University of Tennessee.
He married Vicki Ann Park on June 23, 1962, in Little Rock, AR. They were married 56 years until her death in December 2018. While newly married, they lived in St. Louis, Clarksville, and Morrilton, AR, before settling in Memphis.
In 1962, he graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences (UTCHS) in Memphis. He further trained at Harvard School of Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
He served in the US Navy for two years, from 1963 to 1965, and was deployed onboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Westwind. He was honorably discharged with a rank of Lieutenant Commander.
In 1968, along with Drs. Steve Turnbull and Gene Whitington, he co-found Whitehaven Children’s Clinic – later expanding and becoming Memphis Children’s Clinic. He actively practiced medicine for 54 years until his death. During that time, he served as a clinical instructor and adjunct professor at UTCHS.
He taught 6th grade Sunday School class and served as a deacon at Bellevue Baptist Church, both for over 50 years. He was an accomplished pianist as well.
In 1972 he founded the Bellevue War Eagles basketball team, using basketball as a Christian ministry focused on 11 to 13-year-old boys. As the coach, he led his teams to city, state, national, and World Cup titles. Over the next 40 years, the War Eagles traveled across the nation as well as Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
Dr. Snider is survived by his three children: Jay Snider (Cindy), of Collierville; Sherri Snider Sands (Brian), of Germantown; John Snider (Angel), of Germantown, and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vicki P. Snider, and his parents. He is also survived by his siblings: Jerry Warmath of Matthews, NC; Mary Francis Nelson (Brian) of West Lafayette, IN; Bill Warmath of Nashville, TN.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Life Choices of Memphis, 5575 Raleigh Lagrange Rd, Memphis TN 38134 or the Bellevue Foundation, 2000 Appling Rd, Cordova TN 38016.
Visitation will be on Wednesday November 2nd at 10:00am with a service starting at 12:00pm at Bellevue Baptist Church.
What’s your fondest memory of Dr. Charles?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dr. Charles?
Share a story where Dr. Charles' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dr. Charles you’ll never forget.
How did Dr. Charles make you smile?