Dr. Richard “Dick” K. Snyder, 87, of Allentown, a dedicated family physician, volunteer fire surgeon and a prominent member of the South Allentown community where he spent most of his life, died of natural causes Feb. 28, 2020, in Luther Crest, South Whitehall.

He was predeceased by his wife, Audrey R. Snyder, who died two days earlier.

They lovingly supported each other throughout life, including during his wife’s final years with Alzheimer’s.

Married 67 years and together for 70, the Snyders were inseparable in life and are together in death.

The son of the late Richard C. Snyder and Helen Furler Snyder, he attended Muhlenberg College and then went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1956.

Committing his life to medicine and public service, he spent 42 years in medicine, first as a family doctor who ran a practice from his Wyoming Street home and then as medical director at the former Allentown Osteopathic Hospital.

After serving as medical director and director of medical education for 13 years, he became the hospital’s vice president of medical affairs.

He returned to family practice and worked with his son-in-law, Dr. Robert Matta, who continued the practice after he retired.

His legacy of public service continues through the work of his children, grandchildren and other family members.

He devoted much of his time to the Allentown Fire Department.

His father was a firefighter, and Dr. Snyder came to realize the importance of having medical care on-site after he rescued a man at a fire scene more than 50 years ago. That man later went on to become Allentown’s first fire chief.

A forerunner to modern emergency medical services at fire scenes, before the existence of paramedics, he provided on-scene medical care by responding to every two- and three-alarm call.

He also trained firefighters in CPR and other lifesaving techniques.

In 1998, he was named Allentown’s first honorary fire commissioner. He had previously received the fire department’s Humanitarian Award and Civilian Citation for work during an explosion in which two firefighters died.

In response to receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2017 Lehigh Valley Business Healthcare Heroes awards, Dr. Snyder said, “The gift I received of spending most of my life being a healer is not my gift. It is a gift given to me by God. I must never forget that.”

The Snyders were former members of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Allentown.

They became active members of Jordan United Church of Christ, South Whitehall, where services will be held.

Throughout their long marriage, he and his wife grew spiritually and embraced Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, sharing their faith by organizing religious retreats and participating in the Cursillo Movement.

A longtime basketball fan, he relished watching the William Allen High School basketball team and traveled to Philadelphia to become certified as a mentor facilitator to establish a mentoring program for members of the team - a program that continues today.

He will be remembered as a humanitarian who served his patients and his community, and as a devoted family man who cherished his wife, children and grandchildren.

His survivors include children Doug Snyder (Liz) of Bethlehem, Scott Snyder of Wayne and his daughters Megan and Tara, and their children Ryan, Jayden, Thomas, Zackary, and Ava, and Susan Matta (Rob) of Allentown; and grandchildren, Katie, Becca, and Libby Matta.

The Snyders will be memorialized in a joint service 11 a.m. March 6, Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, South Whitehall, with the Rev. Dr. David C. Smith officiating.

Visitation is 4-7:30 p.m. March 5, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, both in the church.

Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Allentown. Offer online condolences at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice or to Jordan UCC, both c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 52, Fogelsville, PA 18051.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.