Born in Christchurch, New Zealand where he attended University, and Seminary, graduating in 1965. He served a number of appointments throughout New Zealand, including European, Maori and Samoan churches.

In 1979/1980 Richard spent a year in the United States, exchanging with a United Methodist Minister in Commerce City.  Three years later, in 1983, he immigrated with his family to the United States.  Richard has served at First Church, Colorado Springs, First Church Pueblo and Littleton United Methodist Church, where has been the Senior Minister since 1996.  Richard became a citizen of the United States in 1979.  His children are also citizens – his son, after serving 5 years in the United States Navy.

Because it is required that United Methodist Ministers retire at 72, Richard will be leaving his at church at the end of this month.

Richard has spent over 10 years as a radio announcer – he qualified a television producer in 1970 and has had over 15 years writing and producing television commercials.  Richard’s experience includes voice-overs, and two videos for Walt Disney World where he is the voice of an animated character called ‘The Big Drip!’

Richard was a parliamentary political candidate in New Zealand in 1972 and 1976 and served as a small-town mayor in his 30’s.

Richard is a serious photographer and has won awards including a first in portraiture in Berlin, Germany.

He is married to Lisa whom he met in Pueblo when she was director of the Rosemount Victorian Museum.  He has two children, Cushla and Stephen and is blessed with an extraordinarily beautiful 4½ year old grand daughter.