Charles Snyder Hirshberg passed January 9, 2020 was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 26, 1933. He came minutes after his twin sister, Bobbie Ann, and several years after his brother, Samuel. He attended Ransom Elementary and West End High School before enrolling at Vanderbilt University where he was active in ROTC and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.
Charles graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical School and moved to Cincinnati for an internship at Cincinnati General Hospital then continued to a residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Pediatrics. Upon finishing his formal training, he and his family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he served in the U.S. Public Health Service caring for the Native American Indian population in several states. He achieved the rank of Lt. Commander before returning to Nashville where he began a successful private pediatric practice that lasted for three decades. Later in his career, he served as Chief of Pediatrics at Baptist Hospital and Associate Clinical Professor at Vanderbilt University.
Charles, or Doc H as he was known, was devoted to the families in his practice where he was available 24/7/365. He made house calls when needed and opened his office seven days a week. Charles took a genuine interest in the lives of his patients and their families sharing their varied accomplishments and life cycle celebrations. Also, he was the pediatrician at Tennessee Preparatory School for many decades. Many a Friday night during football season he would be pacing the sidelines on the field at home games, just in case. After his retirement, on several occasions when he needed medical care himself, it was reassuring and gratifying to know some of his care givers had been his patients.
Retirement allowed Charles time to enjoy time at the lake house, on his boat “House Call”, volunteering at LPGA golf tournaments, traveling and spending time with his family. He actually enjoyed yardwork at the lake and called it his “exercise”. A consummate card player, Charles taught his children and grandchildren how to play, too. His concern for the underdog was evident in his adoption of several dogs that were down on their luck. He learned how to ride the public transit system while serving on the Davidson County Grand Jury where he was fascinated by many of the cases presented to them for consideration.
A celebration of Charles’ life will be held at The Temple Congregation Ohabai Shalom at 5015 Harding Pike on Sunday Jan 12 at 2 p.m. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Wolman Hirshberg, three devoted children: Marcie Hirshberg, Al (Suzy) Hirshberg, and Paul (Marcy) Hirshberg, six beloved grandchildren: Kevin (Lauren) Hirshberg, Robin (Chris) Hirshberg, Carolyn Hirshberg, Samantha Hirshberg, Audrey Hirshberg, and Eli Hirshberg, and two great grandchildren: Avery Hirshberg and Austin Hirshberg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, First Steps, Inc. of Nashville, or in Charles’ name to the charity of your choice. Visit Marshalldonnellycombs.com for more information.
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