March 5, 2021

Jerry Schumacher, former WSU pharmacy faculty and distinguished alumnus, dies at 83

Dr. Gerald “Jerry” E. Schumacher, 83, clinical pharmacist, researcher, educator, Wayne State University distinguished alumnus and former pharmacy faculty member, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease on February 20, 2021. For over 50 years, Jerry was a distinguished contributor to many aspects of the profession of pharmacy.

Schumacher, a Detroit native, earned his doctorate in pharmaceutics from Wayne State University in 1972 and was immediately offered a professorship in pharmacy. By 1976, he was promoted to deputy dean of the college, when he led the charge to establish the post-baccalaureate PharmD degree program. He had a reputation as a trailblazer in the field of clinical pharmacy and believed passionately that pharmacists should not merely fill prescriptions, but they should also serve as active members of a patient’s clinical team, assisting patients by helping physicians choosing the most effective medication for their ailments.

In 1978, Northeastern University in Boston recruited Schumacher to serve as dean of its School of Pharmacy and Allied Health. He taught at Northeastern for 30 years and retired in 2008 as professor emeritus having educated thousands of pharmacists, including WSU Applebaum Professor of Pharmacy Practice Michael Rybak.

"I received my pharmacy degree from Northeastern when Dr. Schumacher was the dean," Rybak said. "He was my professor for pharmacokinetics. After graduation and working as a staff pharmacist in the Boston area for a while, I decided I wanted more and decided to go back and get my PharmD degree. I had so much respect for him and loved his classes that I asked him for advice regarding potential programs. He strongly suggested Wayne State University and the rest is history. He was really an outstanding leader and professor."

Schumacher was a trailblazer in pharmacy education who is remembered for his tireless scholarship and teaching, as well as his trademark understated wit and kind nature. 

Full biography

Jerry Schumacher was born on May 24, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the older son of Alex and Frances Schumacher. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska, where his father owned a drugstore. He spent many hours in the store, developing at an early age a lifelong interest in the field of pharmacy. As a teenager, Schumacher’s family relocated to Los Angeles. There he developed a passion for music, a talent he nurtured over the years to become a professional jazz saxophone and clarinet player.

Schumacher attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California where he graduated from the School of Pharmacy with a PharmD.  In college, the multi-talented Schumacher studied hard, played in the USC marching band, and supported himself by playing jazz gigs and ghostwriting stories for published authors. After he graduated, he worked in the UCLA pharmacy, rising to senior manufacturing pharmacist. It was here that he met Florence Steinberg, a UCLA sophomore. They were married in 1966.

That same year, Schumacher accepted a teaching position at the University of Toledo, beginning an outstanding academic career. During this time, Schumacher’s prodigious capacity for scholarship and hard work was on full display. In addition to his full-time teaching responsibilities, he pursued his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences from Wayne State University, commuting 75 miles each way—all while starting a family. In 1969, son, Evan was born, followed by David in 1971. He also had two children, Paul and Winter, from a prior marriage to Marti Stark Thompson.

In 1972, Schumacher achieved his doctorate in pharmaceutics from Wayne State University and was immediately offered a professorship. By 1976, he was promoted to deputy dean of the college. By this point, he was establishing a reputation as a trailblazer in the field of clinical pharmacy. He believed passionately that pharmacists should not merely fill prescriptions, but they should also serve as active members of a patient’s clinical team, assisting patients by helping physicians choosing the most effective medication for their ailments.

In 1978, Northeastern University in Boston recruited Schumacher to serve as dean of the School of Pharmacy and Allied Health. Jerry taught at Northeastern for 30 years, retiring in 2008 as professor emeritus. He educated thousands of pharmacists and produced an impressive body of scholarship. Schumacher authored a textbook, “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring,” in addition to hundreds of book chapters, peer-reviewed articles and clinical presentations.

Among his many awards and honors, Schumacher was elected as the president of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Along with his longtime colleague Judith Barr, he established the National Education and Research Center for Outcome Assessment in Health Care at Northeastern. His contributions to the field of pharmacy were widely recognized over the years, receiving numerous awards, including the honor of distinguished alumnus from both USC and Wayne State. In perhaps his crowning achievement, in 1999 he was recognized by AACP for Outstanding Achievement and Contributions to Pharmaceutical Education. Notwithstanding this recognition, he always derived the greatest professional satisfaction from teaching. He taught a full course load during his entire tenure at Northeastern, and he believed in challenging his students—always with a dose of humor. 

The Schumachers and their beloved lab, Tippy, lived in Needham for 30 years before Jerry and his wife moved to Wellesley in 2008.

In 2007, at age 70, Schumacher was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. While his condition was manageable at first, it hastened his retirement from Northeastern. He spent his remaining 13 years with his beloved wife Florence and their extended family. He was a rabid sports fan, cheering on his beloved Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Northeastern Huskies, USC Trojans and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was also a lifelong aficionado of jazz and art, and he enjoyed reading mysteries. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, such as watching his grandson Jamie’s baseball games and Luke’s theatrical performances. Schumacher had a special bond with his son, Evan, who died at age 46 from cholangiocarcinoma five years ago.

Gerald Schumacher is remembered as a Renaissance man who left a tremendous legacy in the field of pharmacy education where he devoted his many talents during a prestigious career.

Memorial details

Schumacher is survived by his wife of 54 years, Florence Steinberg Schumacher, and his children: Paul Schumacher, Winter Bonnin and her husband John, David Schumacher, his late son Evan Schumacher’s wife Suzanne Schumacher; grandchildren Jamie, Luke, Jake, Sari, and Sophie Schumacher, Alex and Zack Bonnin, Jeremy Snider and his wife Katie; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Ethan Snider. He is also survived by his brother, Larry Schumacher, several nephews and a large extended family.

Due to the pandemic, the funeral service was private. View a recording here. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Jerry’s name may be made to: The Gerald Schumacher Pharmacy Faculty Award Fund, Development Office, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115.

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