Dr. Richard Joel Greene

DR. RICHARD JOEL GREENE Dr. Richard J Greene, 79, of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and Singer Island, Florida, died Monday, October, 24, 2022, after a long illness, with his family at his side. Richard was affiliated with Reading Hospital for more than 40 years, and practiced medicine as an Allergist and Immunologist both in Reading and in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Richard was born October 8, 1943, in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from the Pennsylvania State University in 1965, he was accepted by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark. While there, Richard met Michele Kinaszczuk, his soulmate and future wife. After their marriage in 1968, Richard continued his loving courtship of Michele for the rest of his life. After graduating from medical school with honors in 1969, Richard interned at Martland Hospital Medical College, New Jersey. After completing his pediatric residency at the University of Wisconsin in 1972, he was commissioned a captain in the USAF and assigned to San Vito Dei Normanni Air Station, Brindisi, Italy, where he served with distinction as both a staff pediatrician and hospital commander from 1972 to 1975. Midway through his tenure at San Vito, he was promoted to the rank of major. His USAF assignment also included a temporary tour of duty at Incirlik Air Base, Adana, Turkey, and frequent clinical visits to care for children of U.S. embassy staff in Rome. After completing his USAF service, Richard returned to the U.S., and in 1975, he accepted an Allergy and Immunology fellowship at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia. Soon afterward, he launched his private practice in Reading. Richard was unwavering and steadfast as a physician, loving and gentle as both a husband and as a father, gracious and genuine as a friend, and generous to all. As a physician, he was dedicated to his patients. Late in life he would confide that the duty of care that came with a correct diagnosis also came with the heavy burden of never making a mistake. Closure of his practice after 40 years welcomed the chance to spend time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. As a father, he followed the academic and athletic accomplishments of sons Brett and Blake and daughter Deven, always supportive of their eclectic interests and their independence. He was never one to be phased by the occasional, unexpected call – “I am in Florence with a friend and wanted you to know.” The only thing that gave him more pleasure than their weddings was the announcement of a grandchild. As a friend, he was always “there,” ready to intercede in time of personal crisis, driven by empathy that could only come from the heart. A distant, out-of-town, distraught friend in need of a second opinion could call at any time for reassurance or help. Despite the demands of his practice, Richard never missed the important events in his life – hockey games and recitals, scouting trips to colleges, visits on parents weekends, and all-too-short beach vacations with his family. He found time for the simple pleasures he loved, woodworking and gardening. Later in life, Richard and Michele, together with friends, were able to re-visit old haunts in Southern Italy and, while watching the sun set over the rooftops of Rome, to reminisce about their “best days” when a winter night out in secluded restaurant could lead to song and laughter lasting into the early morning. More recently, when Michele decided to attend an art class in Tuscany, Richard went along for what he enjoyed most about Italy – the discovery he associated with little towns tucked away, ever friendly and ready to be won over by a quiet, unassuming, stranger with a ready smile as he introduced himself in Italian as an “Americano.” In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to remember Richard, to contribute to the following charities in his name: Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation Online donations may be made at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/020554654 Colorectal Cancer Research at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. Online donations may be made at: https://giving.apps.upenn.edu/fund?program=MED&fund=603628 (please note “in Memory of Richard Greene, MD). St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Online donations may be made at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/351044585

Dr. Richard Joel Greene

October 8, 1943 - October 24, 2022