Ralph Schumacher

H. Ralph Schumacher Jr., M’59, professor emeritus and former acting chief of rheumatology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and former section chief of rheumatology at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, died on July 30 from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 84.

Dr. Schumacher earned a bachelor’s degree from Ursinus College and a medical degree at Penn. Between completing various fellowships, he served for two years as a staff physician in the US Air Force in California.

He joined the Penn faculty in 1967 and became a professor of medicine in 1979. He also took on a secondary appointment as professor of comparative medicine in the department of clinical studies at the School of Veterinary Medicine the same year. His research and clinical work focused on synovial fluid, gout and crystal-associated arthritis and diagnostic problems. He served twice as acting chief of rheumatology for the School of Medicine. He was primarily based at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, where he was section chief of rheumatology from 1967 until 2005. He retired and became professor emeritus of medicine in 2012.

Dr. Schumacher published more than 400 research articles as well as 200 reviews, book chapters and editorials. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Jean (Swisher); daughters, Heidi Wilson and Kaethe; and three grandchildren. 

Donations in Dr. Schumacher’s memory be made to Penn Medicine’s division of rheumatology at: Penn Rheumatology, 3535 Market St., Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 to support the Schumacher Rheumatology Research Fund. Donors should mention “Dr. Schumacher” in the correspondence or on the check memo and make checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania. Donations can also be made online at http://tinyurl.com/y7vlxccc.