Writings & Remarks

Life Trustee Howard J. Schneider ’60

February 20, 2026

Tags In Memoriam

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

I write to share the sad news that Life Trustee Howard Schneider ’60, P’85,’87,’89, GP’21, a member of the Board of Trustees since 1988, died Monday, Feb. 16, one week shy of his 88th birthday.

Howard earned his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and his medical degree from the University of Rochester in 1964 before serving six years in the U.S. Army Reserves and then embarking on a distinguished 52-year career as a pioneering ophthalmologist in New York City. He was involved in significant advances in ocular surgery, being the first to use nylon sutures in ophthalmic surgery, a practice that is now considered standard of care around the world. 

Howard was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and a past president of the Castroviejo Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing ophthalmic education. A leader in corneal transplantation and anterior segment surgery, Howard trained surgeons from around the world. Owing to his service with the U.S. Army Reserves, he never charged Vietnam Veterans for their care.

As a Hamilton student, Howard was a member of Hillel, the Emerson Literary Society, and the football team, for which he served as captain and was part of the undefeated 1958 team. He was an avid tennis player throughout this life and an amateur photographer. He and his wife of nearly 65 years, Sandy, had four children: Ian ’85, Melissa ’87, Evan ’89, P’21, and Jack. A niece, Maude, graduated in 2017, and grandson Julian was a member of the Class of 2021. 

The Howard J. Schneider, M.D. Scholarship was established at Hamilton in 1994 by fellow trustees and friends to honor Howard and recognize students who excel in science and leadership, and The Jack Silverman Scholarship was created by Howard and Sandy to honor Sandy’s father. Those who are so inclined may choose to donate to either of the scholarship funds in lieu of flowers. Expressions of sympathy will reach the family at 2760 S. Ocean Blvd., Apt 405, Palm Beach, FL 33480.

On behalf of Hamilton, I express our gratitude for Howard’s service and extend our sympathy to the Schneider family.

Steven