Richard Bergere was born in Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree from New York University, his Master's degree from Columbia, and studied in the studio class at the Art Students' League. His service in the U. S. Navy during World War II led to a one-man show at the Art Institute Of Chicago in 1944, where he exhibited his suite of paintings depicting Navy life. Bergere has illustrated several books for various publishers, and his prints have been published by Associated American Artists. He has also exhibited at the Whitney Museum, and is the recipient of the Saint Gaudens metal.