Richard was the winner of the 1971 New Era Poetry Writing Contest, has continued to publish poetry and has participated in live poetry readings, including a by-request venue at Yale University in 1968. He has performed in theater and set design for over forty years and, in 2000, won the award for best supporting actor in the Riverside [CA] Community Theater for his role in "Our Town." Richard is the author of twelve historic fictions and 3 non-fictions. Richard is also a graphic designer, providing illlustrations for two origianl children's stories and offering graphics for personal greeating card designs.