Rick was certified in 1980 after some cold winter dives in Toledo Bend Lake and a tiny 
hole called Polio Pit. In 1985 he was certified as a PADI OWSI and then worked at 
Divers Unlimited in Fort Lauderdale before spending 5 years with Premier Cruise Lines 
as Dive Manager. After leaving Premier, Rick studied at McNeese State University in 
Lake Charles where he received his degree in Liberal Studies and Secondary Education. 
Rick spent 8 years at Angleton High School, teaching social studies and was head coach 
of the swim team. While there he updated his PADI rating to Master Scuba Diver 
Trainer. After leaving Angleton, Rick spent 16 years at Manvel High coaching 
swimming, diving, water polo, and teaching social studies, then went back to Angleton 
for two more years in the classroom and on the pool deck. He retired from teaching and 
coaching in May of 2024. Rick’s favorite dive destinations are the Florida Keys, 
especially during lobster season, Cozumel Mexico at any time, and while with Premier 
he fell in love with the Abacos. Rick met his wife Stacey in May of 2002 while on a 
diving trip out of Freeport to the Flower Gardens. They were married in 2004 and are 
the proud parents of their daughter Abigail, also a diver.
Rick hold the following ratings:
Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Emergency First Responder Trainer
AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Instructor
Peak Performance Buoyancy Instructor
Underwater Photography Instructor
Underwater Navigator Instructor
Fish Identification Instructor
Search and Recovery Instructor
Night Diver Instructor
Wreck Instructor
Boat Instructor
Deep Instructor