On January 1, 1935, Richard Edward Flanagan was born in Fairlee, Vermont. Rick was the first born to Henry Flanagan and Ramona (Munn) Flanagan. He began his writing early in life and was fortunate to have Charles Jackson (The Lost Week-end) review some of his early short stories. Encouraged by Mr. Jackson’s kind comments, Rick continued his writing until he joined the U. S. Navy at age 19. Upon completion of his enlistment, Rick was discharged from the Navy and returned to college. In 1958 he married Joy Arrighi, a Scottish lass he met while in the Navy.

Upon completion of college, Rick entered the United States Air Force through the Officers Training Program. He served in Viet Nam as an Airborne Weapons Controller and flew over 480 combat missions in the early version of what later became AWACS. As a United States Air Force officer, he was fortunate to be selected for two unit commands and served on a variety of numbered Air Force and Major Command staffs. Rick was educated in the public college system and holds an advanced degree in Psychology from Ball State University and all but the practicum for a second Master’s in Counseling. During his military career, Rick put his writing on hold while he became a professional military officer.

Upon his retirement from active duty in 1981, Rick returned to his first love, writing. He had always intended to write, but somehow, there were always life challenges to respond to prior to turning his attention to spinning a yarn. He was drawn to Westerns through his love of the West and the life style of the 1800’s. Rick has always been an avid reader and Westerns were always high on his list of preferred reading. Rick has lived in Colorado, California and through out the world. He enjoys living close to the earth and still likes to spend time in the woods and fields of New England.