Richard, an enthusiastic lacrosse fan since 1996, died peacefully in the family home in Berkeley on Thursday, March 29th. He had valiantly fought a nine-year battle with prostate cancer.

Richard was born on Groundhog's Day, February 2, in 1944 in Miami Beach, Florida, to Lawrence and Marjorie Hersch Schooler. He grew up in Elmira, New York, with is brother Bob and Steve. His father and uncle helped his maternal grandfather operate Rosenbaum's, the fine women's clothing store in the area.

He went on to college at the University of Rochester where he graduated in history. He played for the newly formed University of Rochester lacrosse team until he was kicked off for deciding to attend spring break. He then attended Washington College of Law, American University, in Washington, DC where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1969. After law school, Richard joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service To America) for a year and provided legal services to low income people in Denver, Colorado.

In late 1970, he moved to Berkeley where he began studying for the California bar exam. During those months of study, he drove a Yellow cab. He passed the California bar exam and became a member of the bar in June 1972. He was always very proud that he had passed bar exams in the District of Columbia, Colorado, and California, all within three years.

In the late 1970s, Richard was San Francisco Sheriff Richard Hongisto's legal counsel. In that capacity, he had the unenviable task of defending the Sheriff when he refused to evict elderly, low income tenants from the International Hotel in downtown San Francisco. After a three-year stint in the San Francisco Public Defender's office, Richard established a private legal practice in which he defended juveniles and adults facing criminal charges and represented children in foster care as a result of parental abuse or neglect.

Richard was also an avid golfer. In 1998, he joined Mira Vista Golf & Country Club, the first golf club in California to admit Jewish and African-American members.

In 1980, Richard married Naneen Karraker. They had two children: Benjamin in 1981 and Nicholas in 1984. Both sons attended Berkeley public schools where they played football and lacrosse.

Richard played a major role in the expansion of Norther California lacrosse. He started the Berkeley juniors lacrosse program and played a major role in the elevation and management of Berkeley High School lacrosse.

Both sons attended UC Santa Barbara where they held leadership roles on the UCSB lacrosse team and were awarded All-American honors. Richard carried his knowledge of the game to UCSB where he left and everlasting impression on the fans, parents, players, and administration.

A memorial will be held in his honor on Sunday, April 15 at 1PM St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Avenue, Berkeley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either of the following nonprofits that reflect Richard's passion for expanding access to lacrosse and his appreciation of public radio programming:

Nor Cal Lacrosse Foundation (Lacrosse for LIFE Program)
PO Box 590385
San Francisco, CA 94159
In Memory of Henry Schooler

or

National Public Radio or your local public radio station.