Richard was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy class of 1948.

He joined the New Hampshire Army National Guard and started his logging business in 1948. In 1952 Richard began a long career in the Transportation industry until he retired from Holmes Transportation in 1984. Richard retired from the Army National Guard with the rank of Command Sergeant Major of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade in 1978. He was called back to active duty in 1984 as the States Command Sergeant Major for New Hampshire Army National Guard, he retired from this position in 1990. Richard was a 32° Master Mason of St. Marks Lodge #44 of Derry, NH, he was also a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Nashua, NH. A past president of the Derry Masonic Association, past Chairman of the Army National Guard Retirement Council, and charter member and secretary of the NH National Guard Enlisted Association.