This past week, I was in Chicago visiting family and had the opportunity to visit a friend in the northern suburbs. The expressway exit I took was the same one used to go to Stuart's house. That brought me so many memories of our great times and how much I miss him to this day.
Stu made an impact on so many people and his work set the foundation for improving vision for all of mankind. I'm sure he's missed by many of us.

Just learned of this and I am so sorry to hear of his passing.  He was a wonderful, kind, and very special human being and his scientific contibutions were outstanding.  Rest in peace Stuart.

Rama Jager, MD

Just learned of this great doctor’s  VERY untimely death.  

He was the very best and a true polymath!

As one of his patients, all I can say is he was  the best physician, by light years, I ever had.

God bless him and  glorify him!

November 4th, 2008, we walked into the VA hospital to help, and to sell our jewelry and watches to our veterans once we were told to go there by The Lord.  After a few months, we met Stuart and started a true friendship with him. Two years later my dad passed and we were once again told to "write a book, name it 1/30/27 (my dad's birthday), and both Sue and I were to finish it" After a few months of writing the book, Stuart came up and said: "I would like the privilege of editing your book". Some weeks later, he came up and said: "I'm exhausted, and I will finish the editing after I rest but you are an act of divine providence" Over the rest of our years working there alongside of Stuart, we revised the book and once again he helped us to finish the revision. We left the VA after 7 full years of serving our veterans and stayed in touch with the man that "polished up" a book that was helped as well as supported by our friend. We will miss him and always remember the person that helped us introduce or book to the world.  

After a hard day in the Clinic we would walk over to the Faculty Club for pitchers of beer, pretzels and maybe cards. Looks like Stuart won something here by the smile on his face.

I just read about this today and I was shocked as I knew Stuart was younger than me. As Michael Gallap says Stuart was at my house several times while we were classmates at UCBSO. Needless to say being the photographer that I was I know I have pictures of him since having documented our years at Berkeley. I'm sorry to hear this as Stuart was a good guy, smart and you knew a budding researcher. I'd like to extend my condolences to his family.

Hi 
  this message is for Emily.    Emily - I was a optometrist friend of your father.  We talked many times at meetings.  We shared putting on tefillin and I listened in awe on dad's eye-nutrition thoughts.   We liked each other.   Several times he laughed saying that he would love to have my son (a pediatrician in NYC) meet you.    So on a whim (actually a recent faint dream) and by chance I just again received the obituary that I left a comment on in January: both of which stimulated my reaching out for you to contact me.    I did speak to Jeff Garston after I learned about dad.  
 So my contact info is: 
    Dr. Lawrence Kline     203 671 3737      drkline@vaop.net
I hope this message finds you.    

To the family and friends of Dr. Richer
May the God of all Comforters give us all strength and comfort, Dr Richer was a truly phenomenal human being, I am a 100% disabled veteran, I just found out yesterday March 29 of his passing and I was devastated as he was my doctor for many years. Blessings and continued strength and comfort to all🙏🏾
Hon Dr. Donna E King
North Chicago, IL

Dr. Richer was the person who connected eye health to nutrition for me 30 plus years ago. He was intelligent, very knowledgeable. I would attend his continuing education lectures whenever I could, where ever I was and he was presenting. Here in St. Louis, MO at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Optometry, he helped start "The Nutrition and The Eye Symposiums." I was very pleased he would be coming  to spend a weekend with us here in April most years. Dr. Richer will be sorely missed by all he "touched." Dr. Richer never met me,  I just followed lectures as they occured because I was so impressed with his presentation style and knowledge. I am so sorry for Dr. Richer's family. He was such a prolific researcher and lecturer and he always had time to answer questions. He was such a pleasant and delightful man.  

I was trying to contact Stuart today and was so shocked to see that he passed away.   I am so sorry.   Stuart was always counseling me on a supplement formulation that I had made up in Fla.   We joked.   We shared our love of Judaism - our putting on tefillin.     I helped him get a speaking engagement in CT.    I am in shock.   His wonderful stories about his daughters.   His love of his work.    I will miss him sorely.  I will say prayer for him daily for the suggested 11 months.   I wish that I had a chance to say goodbye.   I know that he was looking down from heaven -  a  great, superb man.      Larry Kline, OD   Prospect, CT

As a classmate of Stuart's in optometry school, I knew him before he met and impressed everyone who has written so glowingly about his career accomplishments. I remember the Stuart Richer who sat in the hot tub out at Mike McDermott's place  in Orinda with me, my wife, and his girlfriend, talking about how great it was to have friends.  Stuart deserves, for sure, everything wonderful that has been said about his work. But to me, he was, and always will be in my memories,  a really, really, cool guy. 

Just was told today of the passing of such a wonderful man! I'm in shock, but want to wish condolences to his family.
Debbie Zelinsky

I met Stuart many years ago when we both spoke at the Minnesota Optometry Association meeting. I often teased that we shared a hotel room that weekend which was actually a very nice multi room suite. When we met at other meetings I would tell him I wasn’t that impressed  with him and he would say the same about me.  Not a day has passed that I don’t mention his name to a patient as he was my trusted resource for nutrition in optometry. That will never stop. God give you rest. You will remain a gift to optometry. 

I will miss Dr Richer. We had lot of good memories working together at the North Chicago VA. He always was on board excited to push things farther. Condolences to the family. 
Vr
Dr Manoj Abraham OD. 

Deepest sympathy to the families of Dr Richer. He was a gifted lecturer, and I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing.
Lynne  A. Chintala, O.D.
Sarasota, FL

My prayers to the family. Stu was always someone I loved seeing at a meeting or talking to on the phone because we would talk about the future or latest on ocular nutrition.Few people can move preventative healthcare by themselves but he did in the field of ocular nutrition. It was an honor calling him my friend. Dennis Gierhart

Stuart admiring the vista our way back from Yellowstone in 2013. 
His brilliance, kindness and compassion will be missed. 

A wonderful trip from Jackson Hole Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park in a yellow convertible with Stuart, Cynde, Jerry and Karen in June of 2013. 

My deepest sympathies to the family of Dr. Richer. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Richer for over 2 decades providing advanced continuing education to our optometric colleagues. It was always a true and distinct honor to have Dr. Richer accept my invitations to speak--he was an exceptional clinician whose contribution to our professional advancement is immense and he will be truly missed. I cherish the work we did and most honorably the opportunity I had to know and work with Dr. Stuart Richer--a most distinguished and fine person.
May he know the light of his undoubting faith and share the light of God in eternal happiness and peace. 
My heartfelt prayers.
Dr. Antoinette D. Parvis 

My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the family, friends, work colleagues, and patients of Dr. Richer.  As one of  his students, he was one of my all time favorite professors and mentors.  As a Navy Reserve optometrist, I looked forward to opportunities to work with him at Great Lakes.  He was brilliant, steadfast, kind and compassionate.  The world is a better place because of him and his presence will be greatly missed. 

I met Stuart 10 years ago at a conference and we quickly became friends. He was totally open to new ideas and immediately went back to the VA and tried some of the treatments we had discussed.  A few years ago I landed in Chicago in a snowstorm and was on my way to Stuart and Cynde's home for a meeting the night before a local conference. I picked up a colleague at the airport who had no way to get to his hotel and when I called Stuart and Cynde they immediately offered to have him join us. With the snowstorm going on outside, we enjoyed a special evening of great food and incredible warmth from two very special people. I will always cherish that memory as well as the brilliant lectures Stuart gave that I had the privilege to hear.  To his wife and family - I hope time will heal the sadness and leave only the best memories. May his memory be for a blessing. 

With loving memories 

Eve and Mark Richer



In the context of optometric publishing, Dr. Richer was always one of my “go to” people for original thoughts or reviews of other people’s manuscripts. He was always gracious with my requests, and can never recall him turning me down, even though I told him that if his plate was full I’d understand.   What a wonderful, knowledgable, and kind individual he was.  Heartfelt condolences to the family.

My heartfelt condolences to Dr. Richer’s wife, children, and entire family.  Over the many years, I found enjoyment reading Stuart's published works and gained applicable knowledge from his experience.  It was at a CE course outside of Chicago where he was doing a CE presentation, that after the course was over, I had the chance to ask him some questions.   As an aside, I mentioned that I practice within a few miles from his VA building.  I also remember prior to his talk that day, he just flew in from Europe after doing a series of lectures there. Yet he was still thrilled to continue to speak to the ODs of Illinois before heading home! Truly, this was an example of his dedication, stamina, and love for others in the field.  On and on we talked.  After about 20 minutes of conversation, I realized I had to leave as I had to meet a friend for a pre-planned dinner nearby the hotel.  As we concluded our conversation, Stuart kindly and graciously asked if I would be able to drive him back to his home (as he just assumed I was headed up north toward his area.) It was at that exact moment of his request that my heart sunk realizing this moment was a call or opportunity to offer a helping hand but simultaneously having to turn down his request.    I literally wanted to just cancel the pre-planned dinner with my friend to help this great man who meant so much to optometry and frankly to myself.    As much as I was humbled and felt the honor to gladly offer him a ride, I explained to him almost in apologetic form why I could not drive him back home.   Honestly, it hurt to tell him, and yet my apology was met with such kindness, understanding, and gratitude on his part.   I will always remember this kindness and grace of Stuart Richer, the human side of him, the humbleness of the moment.  Looking back, poignantly, of all that I learned and known from him, this part of Dr. Stuart Richer will be remembered most of all.    God Bless you Stuart and peace be with your family. 

TO THE MUNZER & RICHER FAMILIES....OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE PASSING OF STUART.  

NOT ONLY WAS DR. STUART PAUL RICHER WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED IN THE MEDICAL AND NUTRITIONAL INDUSTRIES; HE WAS A GIVING AND DEVOTED FAMILY MAN....WONDERFUL HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER AND SIBLING...CARING AND PROVIDING FOR HIS FAMILY'S.    HIS LOVE & DEVOTION FOR CYNDE, HIS DAUGHTERS AND GRANDCHILDREN WERE ALWAYS PRESENT IN THE ACTIONS HE TOOK TO ALWAYS PROTECT, CARE AND ADVISE EACH OFINDIVIDUALS OF THE RICHER AND MUNZER HOUSEHOLDS.

STUART'S ENDLESS LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND HONORS AS AN INVENTOR, SPEAKER, LECTURER, CONSULTANT, PUBLISHER, AND DOCTOR IS A PRETIGIOUS LEGACY THAT WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED BY HIS LOVED ONES, FRIENDS, BUSINESS AND MEDICAL ASSOCIATES.    

SINCERELY,  

DANIEL & WILLIAM 



Stuart was more than a colleague; he was my mentor and a friend. He was the first board member of the Ocular Nutrition Society I chose when we started up in 2007.  If I ever had questions about nutrition science, I knew who to ask first. He was always a step ahead of the science. As well as real mensch....

Just hanging with good friends, Ginnie Mathews and Stu

Visiting the "Garden of the Gods" in Colorado Springs with Ellen Troyer.

My time as the Executive Director for OWNS gave me the great privilege of getting to know Stuart better. He was always thinking outside the box and pushing a greater vision. His kindness and generous spirit were always present. Although facing his own health issues, when he found out my husband was diagnosed with ALS he always took time to check in on me. I will remember with a smile taking him to the rodeo in Cody, WY when he came as one of our lecturers in 2021. 
All my prayers for your family in this difficult time. 
Kari Cline- Wyoming 

Dear Cynde. Jon & Heide,
Pam & I send our deep Condolences. Stuart was a one of a kind type of guy.  Knowledgeable and entertaining at the same time .
He will be missed by all. 
With Love ❤️ 
Joe & Pam Siegman

Thank you Dr Richer for your devotion to your professional .
I attended several of your lectures in years past and because of you, I learned about good eye health and over all body health through smart food choices and quality supplements.
I have Macular Degeneration and presently I am a moderator of a closed FB group where I often  speak of the importance of eating healthy for our eyes , lessons which I first learned from Dr Richer.
I am always amazed how one person can touch the lives of so many.
My condolences to Dr. Richer’s family, friends and patients.

Sharon Hynes of Chicago

30 years ago Stuart was very helpful as a mentor and considerate person to this newly arrived immigrant student. He generously and selflessly shared his knowledge to educate me at the VA and showed  such humility in his  interest in my thinking I will never forgot.
He was a great human being and professional.
I will never forget him
Dr. Neil Margolis, O.D

So sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing. My condolences to his family and friends. I met him at numerous conferences where he sought me out to discuss our mutual interests in nutrition and vision.  He will be sadly missed by everyone in the nutrition/vision community. 

Dear Stuart, rest in peace. 


Richard Bone

My prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Richer’s family. At the beginning of my optometry career I was deciding between a residency at the VA with Dr. Richer and joining the Navy at Great Lakes. I joined the Navy, but 25+ years later I had the special honor of working with Dr. Richer at Lovell VA. His immense knowledge and dedication to our country’s heros was my inspiration. You will be so greatly missed, but your spirit is with us every Thursday afternoon lecture as we strive to be better doctors for our patients.
VR/ Dr. Patricia Steiner

 "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” – Richard Bach
So True, we are family !! We loved enjoying life and traveling with Stuart and Cynde. 

OBITUARY

Dr. Stuart Paul Richer

July 8, 1955 – October 26, 2022

Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home

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