Rick was born in New Hampshire and moved to Vermont at the age of 6 months, and has been a Vermont resident for most of his life. After graduating from high school in June 1964, he enlisted in the US Air Force, serving in Texas, Georgia, and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and served two more years in the Air Force Reserves. In brief, his life after the military took a turn toward playing in several rock bands, (he was a drummer), drugs, and alcohol. This lifestyle continued for another 13 years until God supernaturally intervened in Rick's life. In the Preface of his recently published book One Life to Give, Rick shares in more depth of his life with the intent of showing the reader how powerfully God can and will change a person's life if he or she is willing.