Stephen Malcolm Scher was greatly celebrated by Lillian and Harry Scher upon his birth in 1943. The adulation he experienced from them was to follow him for the rest of his life as he experienced great accomplishments in every sphere. Genial, strikingly good looking, humble, academically talented, an expert swimmer and tennis player, as well as an outstanding sculptor, he brought his many talents to bear on a career in medicine. He met his soulmate, Janet, at the University of Rochester and together they fostered his love of research at the University of Chicago now Pritzker Medical School. There he was awarded the Borden Award for outstanding research on Diabetic Retinopathy. Subsequently, after completing his Internship and Residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals, he then served his Berry Plan military obligation as Chief of the Pulmonary Research Department at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Several four walled handball championships were secured at that location. After becoming Chief Pulmonary Fellow at Albert Einstein Hospital, Dr. Scher became the first Board Certified Pulmonary Physician in Ocean County, New Jersey. He also qualified as a Fellow in the American College of Chest Physicians. Shortly before his departure for New Jersey, Jason Scott Scher and Sandor Ira Scher were lovingly welcomed by Stephen and Janet. Sailing, tennis, vegetable gardening, swimming and sculpting continued to fill his days. His infectious laugh permeated the room while sitting on the floor watching cartoons with his sons. In 1978, just before Clifton Bennett Scher was born, Stephen diagnosed himself with multiple sclerosis. As daunting as that challenge was, Steve never wavered in his appreciation for all that came before and all that was to come after in his life. Many family trips to the National Parks and the British Virgin Islands as well as Alaska, the Galapagos and Scandinavia brought him great joy. That joy embraced the marriage of Sandor to Stephanie, Jason to Katrina, and Clifton to Laurie. He took great delight in the interests of his grandchildren J.J, Tia, Lev, Rohan, Atreyu and Isabel. He battled fiercely against M.S. with Janet stalwartly by his side fighting every moment with him. Sadly, since Stephen is no longer among us the absence of his sense of humor, generous spirit and caring nature has already created an enormous void for the whole family. We loved him dearly and did our best to let him know in words and deeds about that every day. He reciprocated by providing us all with his unique and often humorous view on the events of the day, his endless concern for the fate of the environment and his boundless love.
In response to requests the family has decided that contributions can be made in Stephen's honor to Earthjustice or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (with a specification that it can be used only for research) two particular preferences among his many annual contributions to charitable organizations.
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