Dick wanted to own a business from as far back as he can remember. As a kid he sold shoe strings, seeds, and magazine subscriptions to people in the neighborhood. Before the days of vending machines, Dick's dad made a wagon for selling soda and chocolate milk, which he sold to local factory workers. Each week he divided his profits and made plans to grow his business. God was at work, teaching Dick about his gifts at a very young age, for very good reasons.
As Chief Financial Officer, Dick works closely with financial services on budgets and other money matters. As founder of Family Life, Dick comes to work every morning with this in mind: be a good example of Christ and show God's love to people. Dick loves his staff, and is always available for encouragement and counseling.
Dick graduated from Bob Jones University in 1954 and got his first job as a film evangelist for the Billy Graham organization. After many years of traveling with the ministry, Dick got tired of being away from home. So stay closer to family, he became a pastor of a small non-denominational church in the coal fields of West Virginia. However, shortly after accepting the position, a power struggle broke out in the church, and Dick was asked to leave.
Wounded and broken hearted, he sought another place to serve the Lord with his gifts and talents. In 1957 he met with a group of pastors who were anxious for someone to organize a youth ministry in the Finger Lakes region of Western NY. With his passion for ministry and a head for business, Dick jumped at the opportunity. That's how Area Youth for Christ was born. Dick loved working with youth, and as YFC grew, so did his passion for spreading the Gospel. Dick renamed the company Family Life and built a Christian radio network, FLN, to get the word out. After directing Family Life for nearly fifty years, Dick stepped down and appointed his son, Rick, president and CEO. Dick says it's the third best decision he's made, next to accepting Christ and marrying his wife!
Dick and his wife, Jackie, have been married for 56 years. They live in Avoca, NY and have four children and eleven grandchildren. One of the most amazing blessings of Dick's life has been watching all his kids come to know Christ.
