In 1935, at the age of 13, he entered the junior novitiate of the Christian Brothers in New York and began his postulancy on June 26, 1936.
In 1953 Duerr volunteered for mission service and was assigned to the Philippines, being first posted to De La Salle College.
He also institutionalized the use of modern management techniques such as educational planning and budgeting to promote efficiency and initiated the formation of a board of trustees and the incorporation of the school as a non-stock, non-profit corporation.
Richard was conferred the title of President Emeritus by De La Salle University.
In 1984, after his stint at La Salle Green Hills, Duerr chose to settle down to Lincroft, New Jersey.