Dr. Richard Kerber, 77

Dr. Richard E. Kerber, 77, of Iowa City died on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics after a short illness.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm Sunday, November 13 at Agudas Achim Congregation, 401 East Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, Iowa, with Rabbi Jeff Portman officiating. Burial will be at Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 11:30 am, where Richard's son, Rabbi Justin Kerber, BCC, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Richard Kerber Project Art Music Fund, to help support music at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, in care of the University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City IA 52244, or to the American Civil Liberties Union, either directly or in care of Lensing Funeral Service, PO Box 167, Iowa City IA 52244.

Richard was born on May 10, 1939 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Max and Pauline (Altein) Kerber. He graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens, N.Y. in 1956 and from Columbia University in 1960, the same year he married Linda Kaufman Kerber, now a retired University of Iowa professor of history. Richard earned his medical degree from New York University in 1964. After an internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, he joined the US Army Medical Corps and served two years as a Captain in a mobile surgical unit in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star in 1968. Upon his return, he completed his medical training at Stanford University Hospital and joined the University of Iowa's medical faculty in 1971, eventually becoming Director of Echocardiography, heading a fellowship program, and serving a term as interim chief of the Cardiology Division.

Committed to caring for his patients, Richard also pursued research on cardiac defibrillation and resuscitation -- the use of electric therapy to treat cardiac arrest, or heart attacks. He authored more than 250 articles, two books and more than 330 abstracts. He served as president of the American Society of Echocardiography. His awards included, in 2001, the American Heart Association's Scientific Councils Distinguished Achievement Award.

Richard also was a devoted clarinet player and bicyclist, participating in several orchestras and chamber music groups, and countless RAGBRAIs. He was a member of Agudas Achim Congregation.

Surviving are Richard's wife Linda; son Ross and wife Nancy of Hingham Mass.; son Justin and wife Hope of St. Louis; grandchildren Hannah, Ruthie, Elijah and Daniel; and his brother Melvin Kerber and wife Cheryl of Queens, N.Y.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen on Nov. 11, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Kerber

Sponsored by Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service - Iowa City.

35 Entries

May 11, 2018

Dear Ms. Kerber

I was shocked to learn today of Dr. Kerber's death. He helped me in a legal case some years ago and I was hoping to reach him today to assist me in a complex case. I really liked your husband and he was helpful and very knowledgeable and a great teacher of how the cardio system worked. I remember he told me you studied with Richard Hofstadter at Columbia. I had the fortune of reading most of his books and studied American History at Harvard where I graduated in 1975. I then received my law degree from the U of Iowa and reside here with my family in Dubuque. My deep sympathy on the passing of a great man...I remember him very fondly. Yours, Dave Wright of Dubuque Iowa Atty. with Gilloon Wright and Hamel, PC

ilene Raisfeld-Danse

July 16, 2017

Dear Linda and Family,
Throughout a 40 year medical career and a long retirement, I have met few people like Richard who stand out because of their character, knowledge, sense of humor and kindness. I regret not having kept in touch.
Bless You All,
Ilene Raisfeld Danse and James Danse

david farr

April 24, 2017

Dear Linda...I was startled to read of Richard's death in the last issue of nyu med magazine... I have only fond memories when we shared a wall on east 25 street...always held Richard in the highest regard personally and professionally...great sadness.

melvin deutsch

January 18, 2017

Tonight I googled Richard Kerber.

We were classmates at Columbia College and NYU Med school .
Have not seen him since.
I think that we were both in the Columbia University orchestra. If I remember, correctly, he played clarinet. I played viola.
I always liked him and am so sorry to hear of his death.

Andrew Sanders

December 8, 2016

Dr Kerber saved my life as a Chf Patient.Dr Kerber you will be missed.Thanks for Everything,I will always remember your Wonderful Personality

November 16, 2016

Lind & the rest of the family,

Cape Associates sends out our deepest sympathy on hearing the news of Dr. Kerber's passing. We go way back with both of you being long term customer's of ours with both the first house and the new house we built for you in Wellfleet. Dr. Kerber will be sorely missed.

Dave, Peter, Rich & the rest of the staff & crew.

Lisa Moenning

November 15, 2016

I worked with Dr. Kerber as a student in PA school. He was one of my favorite physicians and always stayed in touch over the years. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. He touched my life and was a very kind and caring mentor.

Claudio Margulis

November 14, 2016

Dear Linda, Richard helped my father when he had a stroke on his last visit from Argentina before he passed away. I remember his kindness, desire to help and hospitality in a moment of tragedy and despair for my family.
I feel very saddened for your loss. My deepest condolences.

Gail Christie

November 14, 2016

Dear Linda - we were devastated to hear this news. Our love and support go out to you and your family at this difficult time.

November 14, 2016

Condolences to family & friends of Dr. Kerber. He was wonderful to work with at U.I.H.C. I'm honored to get to know such an intelligent, kind soul. - Diane R.N.

Elisabeth Perry

November 13, 2016

My dearest Linda - we are inconsolable. So many wonderful memories of being together with you and Dick. Still can't believe those times will never come again. We are with you and will see you soon. Love to you and Justin and Ross and all the family as you try to recover from this loss.

Elisabeth & Lew Perry

Kenn Hubel

November 13, 2016

I feel the loss of a fine medical colleague and musician for whom my respect continued to increase over the years. We shared the fun of playing in the early years of DOX big band and the pride of contributing in a sterling department of medicine, and with Linda, to the strength and merit of our University.

Jim Martins

November 13, 2016

Dear Linda,
We know somewhat how devastated you and your family must be since we suffered a shock when we heard that he had died. You have our sincere sympathy. We want you to know how much we have been thankful for Dick over the decades. He played such a role in my life being a faithful believer, mentor, and collaborator. I shared over 10 papers with him but so much more on day to day interaction. From him I learned how to do research, to teach trainees and to care for patients. I bicycled with him and loved music, even Lyric productions and dinner for the four of us. I can see him playing the clarinet in ensembles. When we heard Bloch's Avodath Hakodesh on Nov. 4, I thought of him. We will send a donation to the Project Art Music Fund. In the years since my retirement, we have been out of touch but I received a request from him to connect on Doximity- just days before he died. We look forward to reconnect when we are all in G-d's presence. Jim/Sylvia

beth shane

November 12, 2016

Sending love to you and your family. Very sorry to hear about this tremendous loss.

Hélène Lesage Arkush

November 12, 2016

Hélène and David Arkush send to you and your family their sincere condolences.

Arthur Small

November 12, 2016

I am so sorry to learn of Dick's passing. My deepest condolences to Linda, Justin, Ross, and the rest of the family.

Susan Sherwin

November 12, 2016

Linda:
We send love and healing thoughts to you and your family as you deal with this enormous loss.
I don't have on hand the wonderful photo of Marty & Dick at a moment some years back when they looked as though they came from the same family - but I am thinking of it today, and of the wonderful life he had, and you had together.
Susan & Marty Sherwin

Charlie and Martha Clapp

November 11, 2016

Thinking of all of you as you honor and remember Dick. Always warm, caring, interested and with a smile. To think he was was with us and in Hingham but a few short weeks ago........our thoughts and prayers are with you this and every day. Charlie and Martha

Jane Jones

November 11, 2016

Dr. Kerber was not only my mentor and friend he was the driving force in me become the professional I always wanted to be. Dr Kerber and family, he was an amazing person and physician and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sara Ader

November 11, 2016

We are so sorry to learn of your great loss. We have such fund memories of our time together. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Sending love, the Ader Family

Ewa and Hani Bardach/Elkadi

November 11, 2016

Dearest Linda,
We failed to find words that could ever express our sorrow and distress for the sudden departure of our dear friend Dr. Kerber. Our endless memories with him and you can never be forgotten. He was not only a younger brother of Dr. Bardach but also his doctor. His new year music is ringing in our ears as we write this to you. Please accept our support, sympathy, and condolences. Ewa Bardach, Nina, and Hani Elkadi.

November 11, 2016

Dear Linda,

We are so sorry about your loss. In the four years since we moved to Iowa City, Dick was a delightful neighbor. When one of our closest relatives had heart trouble a few years ago, Dick was a wise and generous source of advice. We shall miss him very much.

Landon Storrs, Ty Priest, and Mason Priest

Deborah Conger

November 11, 2016

I transcribed Dr. Kerber's patient dictations for years at UIHC. He was always very thorough, organized, and caring about his patients. He was at the top of my list and a definite favorite of our transcriptionists.

Michael Moore

November 11, 2016

Dear Linda, I am so sad about your loss. To my mind, Dick epitomised the ideal of the gentleman - elegant, great-looking, cultivated, smart and kind, truly caring about and respecting others - women particularly. He was a sensitive and knowledgeable physician, too. I was lucky to have the chance to know him and I will hold his memory dear.

Cate Chapman

November 11, 2016

I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Kerber's passing. He was my mother's Cardiologist, and was the one to figure out what was going on with her heart. We loved him so much for his knowledge and his wonderful bedside manner. When mom was scared, he made her and the rest of us feel at ease. He will be greatly missed.

Katherine Jellison

November 11, 2016

Dear Linda and Family,

David and I always thought of Dick as our honorary Iowa City "dad." What a great guy! Always with a smile on his face. He will be greatly missed.

With love and sympathy,
Kathy and David

Adrien Wing

November 11, 2016

Dear Linda and family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. May you take comfort in the support of your friends and family, including at the College of Law.
Yours in deepest sympathy,
Adrien K. Wing and family

Gerhild Krapf

November 11, 2016

I am deeply shocked and saddened to read of Dr. Kerber's passing. We spent many happy hours making music together. I send my sympathies to Linda and the family, and hope that shared happy memories will be some comfort at this very difficult time. He was a multi-talented, kind and caring man, who will be greatly missed.

Paul Greenough

November 11, 2016

Dick was such a generous, productive, curious and decent man, he drew out our good ideas and politely torpedoed not so good ones. He steered me through a cardiac event with good advice and took a sustained interest in my recovery. There will be many others like me who ache to realize their doctor-friend is gone.

Christopher and Lisa Merrill

November 10, 2016

Dear Linda,

I am so very sorry for your loss. Dick was kindness incarnate, and tonight I am remembering the owl that appeared in the tree beyond your deck the morning that you hosted (with your customary flair) a brunch for David and Robin. Dick was like that owl--wise, all-seeing, and determined to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met. Lisa and I feel blessed to have known him. And we send you love and light in the midst of this terrible darkness.

Christopher and Lisa

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Liz Field

November 10, 2016

Dear Linda and family,
I pray that God will surround you with His comfort in this time of grief. I always looked forward to a weekend outing of playing music with Dick. Sometimes it would be just us two working through duets. Other times it would be with the rest of our woodwind quartet. Always it was never only to make music, because Dick would throw in a music history lesson or two related to the pieces that he selected for that afternoon. And afterwards you would graciously treat us to something sweet and delicious. I picked up my habit of having FAGE yogurt and fresh berries for breakfast or lunch from those visits. These are fond memories of Dick that I will forever cherish.
With my deepest sympathies,
Liz Field

November 10, 2016

He was a real sweetie and was great about answering questions. He saved my husband's life!

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