Richard Riffer

1939 - 2024

Richard Riffer
12/03/1939 - 07/09/2024
With sadness we say goodbye to Richard Riffer, Ruven ben Isidore, who passed away on July 9th, in Berkeley. Richard was a mensch; a kind man who was always willing to help. People close to him knew him as a loyal and reliable friend and neighbor who always showed up early for everything and brought in the daily newspapers and recycling bins even when it became difficult. His endless curiosity and scientific precision made him very sought-after company.
He was the son of the late Molly and Edward Riffer, the brother of Harold Riffer of Paradise Valley, Arizona, the late Kenneth Riffer and his twin the late, Eugene Riffer; also predeceased by his sister-in-law, Barbara Riffer. He was the longtime companion of the late Jerome Fishman.
Born in Chicago he grew up in a traditional Jewish home nearby in Whiting, Indiana where he played in the high school band and excelled in his studies. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington for his BS summa cum laude in Chemistry after receiving both Merit and Merck scholarships. One of his professors pronounced Richard to be the best chemistry student he had encountered in 11 years. Next, he took the Santa Fe Railway to Berkeley and never left.
He worked his way through graduate school and received an MS in 1963, and a PhD in 1967, in organic and biochemistry. Further studies followed at UC San Francisco Medical Center. The research he did for his dissertation was presented by his PhD committee chairman to the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Richard also led a cancer project that is credited with developing Tamoxifen for breast cancer. This was followed by an air pollution study as well as registering 2 patents. He left UC when the air pollution study was moved because he did not want to leave Berkeley and then joined private industry.
He became the Chief Chemist for C&H Sugar where they developed the flavor for Honey Nut Cheerios which we all enjoy. Music, both playing and listening, brought him great pleasure. He played the cello, oboe, alto sax and recorder in bands, orchestras and chamber music groups for 50 years and regularly attended performances. He was a dedicated volunteer and an officer of the Berkeley chapter of the ACLU. He was very proud of his union membership. Richard remained ultra-sensitive to any hint of social or racial injustice.
He is survived by his brother Harold and nieces and nephews: Charlene, Ernie, Jody, Neil, Kathy Ray, Kay Julie and Ryder.
Memorial donations may be made to ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center and Hadassah.
A Memorial for Richard will be held at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant, Berkeley on Sunday September 15th from 11 am to 2 pm. May his memory be a blessing.