In Memoriam Richard Joel Greene, MD

October 8, 1943—October 24, 2022

by D. Michael Baxter, MD, FAAFP

Richard Joel Greene, MD, who died on October 24th, 2022, served the patients of the Berks County area, and was affiliated with Reading Hospital for over 40 years in the practice of Allergy and Immunology.

Dr. Greene was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and graduated in 1965 from Penn State University. He returned to New Jersey to study medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark where he met his wife, Michele, in 1968, a year before his graduation. He interned at Martland Hospital Medical College in New Jersey and then completed his residency in Pediatrics in 1972 at the University of Wisconsin. He subsequently spent three years in the United States Air Force, rising to the rank of Major and serving as a staff pediatrician and hospital commander in Brindisi, Italy. Having completed his Air Force tour of duty, he returned home to pursue his Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.

Following completion of his Fellowship, Richard and his family moved to Berks County where he would spend his career in the private practice of Allergy and Immunology caring for both adults and children. His consultation reports were not only complete, but they were also academically focused with a wealth of information. He had a warm and generous personality and was noted to be especially kind and responsive to his patients, many of them children. When a referral was made to Dr. Greene, one knew the patient would receive the best of care and the referring physician would learn a thing or two from the ensuing consult report.

Richard was a most trusted and respected colleague and will be truly missed by all of us who had the pleasure to know and with whom to share the care of our patients.

Dr. Greene is survived by his wife, Michele, three children and grandchildren, as well as many friends. In retirement he spent many relaxing hours at their home on Singer Island, Florida. It was also especially enjoyable during those years for Michele and Richard to return to Italy to enjoy the beauty of that country and reminisce about their earlier years there together.

Memorial contributions can be made in Dr. Greene’s name to:

Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Colorectal Cancer Research at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital