Schnatz M.D., J. David

J. David Schnatz, a man of virtue and strength peacefully passed away on October 27, 2022. Dave was a proud native of Buffalo, NY where he was born, raised and educated. It was in Buffalo, while attending the University of Buffalo (UB) Medical School, where he met Carolyn, the love of his life and steadfast partner for over 65 years. A Magna cum Laude graduate of both Princeton University and the UB Medical School, Dave began his medical career in the Endocrine Fellowship Program at the University of Washington in Seattle where he subsequently joined the faculty. Family and home, however, pulled Dave, Carolyn and their toddler, Julie, back to Buffalo. There he joined Buffalo Children's Hospital, establishing and heading a diabetes program treating patients and training residents. A Professor at the UB Medical School, Dave began a career of teaching and training. Soon after returning to Buffalo, Peter was born. Carolyn and Dave happily immersed themselves in Buffalo with family, faith and work filling their lives. But professionally, Dave grew restless. It was a very difficult decision to leave a place where both Dave and Carolyn had deep roots and lifelong friends. In 1977 the Schnatz family left Buffalo and moved to West Hartford where Dave joined Saint Francis Hospital. There he was appointed Director of Medicine as well as Professor of Medicine at the UCONN Health Center. While at SFH he dramatically grew both the faculty and full-time staff. Throughout his career, he trained hundreds of residents with endless devotion to their professional and personal development. Selfless, humble and caring, he led his students by example. The tall man with the great big smile was widely recognized and admired by his colleagues, staff and patients. His attention to detail and care for his students and patients was remarkable. Those characteristics, which he quietly demonstrated daily, were embraced and celebrated by all who knew and worked with him. Dave's devotion to his work was matched only by his devotion to his family. Together with Carolyn, they raised two children they loved unconditionally. As he did at work, he led his children by example. Everything he did had purpose; his kind, gentle, loving way was embraced and easy to emulate. Whether it was how to treat and respect people or how to fix a broken window, Dave showed the way by example. His children and grandchildren adored him and learned so much from him, a lifelong teacher. Tall. Kind. Gentle. Noble. Humble. Compassionate. Precise. Diligent. Non-judgmental. Faithful. Holy. These are words often used by his friends and colleagues to describe the man we will miss who has left us with so much. David Schnatz is survived by his soulmate, partner and wife Carolyn Schnatz. He leaves his daughter, Julie Schnatz Rybeck and her husband Dean Rybeck as well as his son, Peter F. Schnatz D.O. and his wife Melanie. Dave was a proud grandfather to 6 grandchildren he deeply loved: Margo and Lincoln Rybeck, Rebekah, Abigail, Sarah, and David Schnatz. He is also survived by his brother Paul T. Schnatz M.D. and his wife Libby Brough. A celebration of Dave's extraordinary life will be held in the sanctuary of the church he loved and faithfully supported, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford, Connecticut on November 19, 2022, at 10:00 am. www.wallingfordfh.com

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