March 23, 2024
The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) mourns the loss of Richard K. DeScherer, the LRA’s Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors and Director Emeritus of Bloomberg L.P. The LRA extends our deepest condolences to his wife Jennie DeScherer along with their children — Kate DeSantis, Christopher DeScherer and his wife Amanda Honeycutt, as well as five grandchildren.
Dick, as he was affectionately called, has been a dedicated supporter of lupus research for the past 55 years. When Jennie was diagnosed with lupus, the DeScherer’s generously devoted their time and resources to support others going through similar struggles by joining one of the LRA’s legacy organizations, the SLE Lupus Foundation.
Serving as Board President of the SLE Lupus Foundation for decades, Dick led the organization’s growth through its 2016 merger with the Alliance for Lupus Research to form the Lupus Research Alliance. Under Dick’s leadership, the LRA is the world’s largest private funder of lupus research, which enabled the development of the three treatments approved for lupus.
Dick’s leadership in the lupus community was matched by his simultaneous career ascendance. He served as Chief Legal Officer for Bloomberg L.P. Dick and Jennie’s passion for the cause helped lead to transformative research support from Bloomberg Philanthropies to advance LRA’s mission.
As LRA’s Board Co-Chair, Dick continued to shepherd LRA’s mission, even while battling his own medical condition. Having been an integral part of shaping the LRA’s vision, his support for Jennie and the millions living with lupus will endure. While the loss of Dick will never be filled, the LRA will remain steadfast in delivering on its vision – a world free of lupus.
Ambassador Robert Wood (“Woody”) Johnson IV, Lupus Research Alliance Co-Founder; Ira Akselrad, LRA Board of Directors Co-Chair; and Albert T. Roy, LRA President/CEO on behalf of the LRA Board of Directors & Staff
