Richard began his life on a farm in the south. He was the oldest of 4, 3 boys and a girl. While his ancestry was English and German his family was one of the earliest settlers in the USA. His great-grandparents (several generations ago) landed in Amherst County, VA after a long ocean voyage that originated in Gravesend, England. His family names include GREGORY, JENNINGS, KEACH, PEW, BUGG AND BILBOA, while on his maternal side the names are REMOLE, PFINGSTON, PRIEST AND BARNETT.