George Theodore Schneider M.D.

George Theodore Schneider, M.D., died peacefully at his home November 27th at the age of 96. The son of the late Erna Schoor Schneider and George Edmond Schneider was born in New Orleans. He graduated from Fortier High School as valedictorian and received a B.S. in 1940 from Tulane University and attended Heidelberg University in Germany. While at Tulane, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society, and Alpha Omega Alpha, a national honor medical society. He received his medical degree from Tulane in 1944. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Lejeune, daughter of Dr. Francis E. Lejeune, one of the founders of Ochsner Clinic, and his daughter, Anne Schneider. His survivors include his wife of 20 years Catherine Bensabat Baños Schneider and his daughter Lynne Cantrell, and granddaughters Ashley Perl(Dan) and Sydney Zoeckler (Jay) and his sister Elaine Schneider Gwin, his nephew Oscar McDufie Gwin (Yvonne) and niece Georgia Gwin Sewell (Jerry) and a host of great nieces and nephews. He was a loving stepfather to Cathie Eustis, Julie Poitevent (Edward B.), Margot Jones (J Walker), Luis Baños and George Baños and their children and grandchildren. He was affectionately known as papa Geroge to a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He served as Chief Resident at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Great Lakes 1946-48 as a Lieutenant and member of Medical Corps. He returned to New Orleans and began his career at Ochsner in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology under the late Dr. Curtis Tyrone. During his medical career, Dr. Schneider published over 80 articles related to his profession and was also chairmen of the Latin American Department of Ochsner Clinic, and was named honorary member of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies of Peru, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. He also traveled as a member of medical missions to those countries and to Belize. He was a member of the International Education Department which grants Fulbright Scholarships. He organized the annual John Weed Seminars for residents of Ochsner Clinics with funds provided by the George Schneider Scholarship Fund. He served as chairman of the Cancer Crusade Committee of the American Cancer Society. George Schneider was a member of numerous honorary medical societies both in the United Sates an abroad, and was often asked to speak. He was a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, and was Grand Commander of the Southern Commandery. He was a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars, the Navy League, the Y.M.C.A., the Mid-Winter Sports Association, the World Trade Center, served as Honorary Consul of Honduras, and was a member of the Boston Club, the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, was past president of the New Orleans Athletic Club, part of several carnival organizations, and served as an Elder of the St. Charles Presbyterian Church. His main interests included his church, his career, and family. He took great joy in bringing new life into the world. He was an avid sportsman who loved golf, fishing, football, bridge, and a good party. He loved family celebrations and always took an interest in each person’s activities. We shall miss his twinkling blue eyes and optimism. As a dear friend wrote: “George displayed all the highest virtues-kindness, commitment, professional excellence, and love for all.” Interment will be private. Visitation will be Monday, December 5, from 1:30 to 3PM at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, followed by a Memorial Service at 3PM. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St., New Orleans LA 70118; or to the George Schneider Education Fund, Ochsner Medical Center, BH 607, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121 To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com .