Ronney Snell Dies

A great man in the O&P profession, Ralph "Ronney" Snell, CPO, FAAOP, died Sunday, May 11, in Memphis, Tennessee.

During a distinguished career that spanned decades, Mr. Snell, who died at the age of 70 of heart failure, served as president of three major O&P organizations. He was president of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) in 1969. He helped organize the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists and served as its first president in 1971. He served two terms as president of the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA), the first in 1974-75 and the second in 1998-1999.

He was honored with AOPA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and the Academy's Titus-Ferguson Award in 2002.

"Anyone familiar with Ronney is aware of concern for children and since 1962, he worked actively with St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital," said AOPA Executive Director Tyler J. Wilson. "He was known in the industry for his devotion to this cause, and he made donations to the hospital as a gift to the AOPA Board of Directors when he stepped down as AOPA president at the end of 1999."

"He loved his fellow man more than anyone I know, and he was particularly devoted to the children," said Lola Cremer, director of rehabilitation services at St. Jude, quoted in an article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal May 12.

"Ronney's deep involvement, passion, and dedication to the O&P field was not surprising in light of the fact that he was the third generation of Snells to practice O&P," said Wilson. The family's involvement in the O&P field began with Mr. Snell's grandfather and now extends to his grandchildren, noted the Commercial Appeal.

In 1975 Mr. Snell sold the family business, Snell's Limbs and Braces Inc., to Durr-Fillauer Medical Co., which kept the name. He then started Central Fabrication Inc. (CFI).

Mr. Snell is survived by his wife Karrene; sons Ted, Cordova, and Eddy, San Antonio, Texas; daughter Ronnye Kay Bridges, Cordova; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Any memorial donations are requested to be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Ronney Snell Dies

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