Richard graduated from Highland High School in 1947. He earned a degree in Zoology from Washington University, St. Louis, MO in 1951. Richard served as a Psychological Research Assistant in the U.S. Army 1952-1954. After leaving the army, Richard entered medical school at the University of Basel in Basel Switzerland, where he received his M.D. in 1959. The fact that he speaks fluent German was a huge asset while in Switzerland.

Richard returned to the United States to do his internship and residency work at hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts 1959 – 1963. He then served as a Research Fellow at Harvard Medical School (1963 – 1966) and at Thorndike Memorial Laboratory (1963 – 1968). During this time Dr. Streiff conducted the clinical studies that helped confirm the link between vitamin B-12 (folic acid) and pernicious anemia. In 1966 Richard became an instructor at Harvard Medical School and in 1971 became assistant professor of medicine at the University of Florida. Next, he served as chief of medical service of the hematology section at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville, Florida (1973 – 1987). During this same time period he continued to serve as a graduate faculty member, School of Medicine at the University of Florida. During his tenure at the University of Florida he assisted Dr. Burgin in his research to develop a molecule to absorb excessive iron in the blood. This condition, known as aphalacemia, is very common in people of Mediterranean descent. Since 1987 Richard has served as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida.

During his professional career Dr. Streiff has served on over 40 professional committees grappling with medical, health, and nutrition issues. Also, he has more than 40 medical research publications wholly or partially attributed to him. Much of his research has focused on hematology. Additionally, he has made numerous speeches based upon his research and publications.

Richard Streiff has been a Professor Emeritus since 2002, but continues to be active as a hematology consultant. His most recent consulting work had him involved with clinical testing of a pancreatic cancer drug.