Rich was born March 4, 1947. He was married to his wife, Phyllis, for 35 years. Together they raised 3 daughters and have 6 grandchildren. Rich was a teacher with Hillsboro City Schools until the time of his ALS diagnosis in April 2003. An avid baseball fan, he played baseball in high school, coached his daughters' school teams, and was an enthusiastic support of "his" Cincinnati Reds until his passing in February of 2004. He was a teacher and mentor to many, and a fiercely loyal husband, father, and grandfather who continues to be missed by many.