Richard K Scher

Known by his peers as “Dr. Nail,” the former Editor-in-Chief of Dialogues in Dermatology and renowned clinician, broke new ground in Dermatology with the development of the subspecialty of Onychology, the study and treatment of nail disorders. Dr. Richard Kempner Scher lived a life dedicated to family and service – service to his patients, medical residents and the practice of dermatology.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Marlyne Gispan Scher, five children, Karyn Scher, Diane Scher, Elle Scher Zagier (Alan), Erica Scher Alexander (Josh) and Roger Scher, and eight grandchildren, Jake, Jessica, Jonah, Hera, Ben, Eli, Shira and Leo.

Richard Scher was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 2, 1929, to Herman Scher, a World War I U.S. Army veteran and insurance salesman, and Marie Scher, an office manager and homemaker. He had one brother, Howard Scher, who predeceased him earlier this year. Love and devotion were Richard Scher’s highest values. He expressed this in a poem to Marlyne, written while they were sweethearts in their early twenties shortly before being married: “So dearest love, do not forget, I’m yours for all my life.” The family of Marlyne and Richard grew and grew. The sound of his children’s and grandchildren’s voices and the music they played brought a smile to his face till the end of his days, as did the recognition of their many achievements.

Richard’s principles – kindness and support, safety and protection, companionship and collaboration – guided his family life and career.

Perseverance and determination drove his career. He didn’t let a lack of financial resources or early rejections stop him from becoming a physician. He graduated from New York University, obtained a Masters in Biochemistry from Brooklyn College, and received his M.D. degree from Howard University. He served his country in the U.S. Navy, working as a physician at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland from 1952-55.

Over his more than a half century of deep engagement in the practice of dermatology, Dr. Scher put his patients first. A tireless, in-the-trenches practitioner and dermatologic surgeon, Dr. Scher treated and cured patients across the full gamut of dermatologic practice. He was an early advocate of active protection against sun exposure, including the regular application of sunscreen. Yet Dr. Scher still found time to teach and mentor rising dermatologists and to break new ground in his field through landmark work in the study and treatment of nail disorders. He was an engaging and popular speaker at professional conferences. His colleague, C. Ralph Daniel, M.D. of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has said of Richard Scher: “He was always a headliner,” and “he was one of only a few in the world” developing the field of Onychology in the early days.

According to Dr. Daniel, Richard Scher “mentored and supported two generations of nail experts and brought the core of nail disorders front and center for the practitioner. He never let us forget that Dermatology is the study of Nails, Hair and Skin.”

Richard Scher was likewise one of the founders of the Council for Nail Disorders. Among his many awards, he received the inaugural “Onychologist of the Year” in 2021.

Richard Scher held professorships at Brown University, NYU and Weill Cornell. Through his research and passion for public speaking, he toured the globe, often a guest of foreign dermatology academies. He published numerous articles, books and textbooks on diseases of the nail, several co-written with Dr. Daniel and updated by Dr. Adam Rubin. Richard Scher served as President of the American Academy of Dermatology and Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious Dialogues in Dermatology series. His dedication to dermatology was matched by his dedication to family. He was a highly engaged grandfather – with he and his wife Marlyne attending his grandchildren’s plays, concerts, recitals and graduations over three decades, after having done the same for his children. As a young dermatologist, he gave a presentation on “what is a dermatologist” to his son’s elementary school class, handing out samples of sunscreen at the end.

Richard was ahead of his time on safety and fitness, always the protector, always the role model. With five young children in tow, he installed seatbelts in the family automobiles before they were standard – repeating the seatbelt mantra “low and tight” until it became family doctrine. Some say Richard Scher was one of that era’s original joggers, seen by many beginning in the 1960s doing laps at the Bay Shore High School track, sometimes during the school day when his kids were there and saw their dad on the track. He continued jogging into his seventies and brisk walking only until recently. Richard Scher’s love of life and unwavering commitment to family and service shone in every aspect of his life. His presence made the lives of his family, friends, colleagues, residents and patients brighter, richer… and healthier. The contributions he made to research, training, and clinical care will continue to improve the lives of patients far into the future. Those who knew him personally are forever grateful to have had him in their lives. He is loved. He will be missed. May his memory be for a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Council for Nail Disorders Scher/Baran award.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=W55WNK2TMJQM2

Council for Nail Disorders at 325 Kings Highway, Clarksboro, NJ 08020