Rick Flood
Biography
December 2003
It's hard to believe it's been nearly 25 years since O-High
days. Life seems to race by.
Since 1979 I've had a hard time holding a steady job (kidding-sort
of). Currently, I am Executive Director of Riveredge Nature
Center, in Newburg, Wisconsin. I started here in November
1999. Riveredge is a 350-acre sanctuary and environmental
education facility that is known throughout the state of Wisconsin
as one of the premier centers of its kind. I'm having "fun"
trying to get this place to focus on a future that will incorporate
the practices of ecological design into its programs and services:
teaching people how to decrease their ecological footprint
through healthy human systems for food, energy, waste, water,
and shelter that sustain nature's bounty. Wow, sounds cool
right?
Prior to Riveredge, I was the Executive Director of Antioch
College's Glen Helen Ecology Institute--a regional environmental
education center that included a 1,000-acre nature preserve,
a residential education facility for school children, a visitor
center, and a raptor education and rehabilitation center.
I also worked in the environmental advocacy arena, serving
as the Executive Director of the Ohio Public Interest Research
Group (based at Oberlin College!) and as a Community Organizer
for the Western Colorado Congress. In addition, I have worked
for the United Church of Christ as a camp manager. See what
I mean about not holding a steady job? But, I am learning
how to play the native american flute--I've got that going
for me.
After high school, I went to Wittenberg University (B.A.)
and Duke University (M.Div.), where I studied ethics, theology,
and business. The best decision I ever made was to marry Margie
Longsworth ('80) and we have three great kids: Samuel (16),
Ariana (14), and Clara Margaret (9). We live in Cedarburg,
Wisconsin where Margie teaches violin, performs with several
professional orchestras, and homeschools the kids. My life-long
friend and classmate, Bob Schubert ('79) married my sister
Connie ('77), and they make their home in Oberlin. Brothers
Chuck ('76), who married Lori Morgan ('81), and Denny ('84)
also live in Oberlin. It is always great fun to re-connect
with people you grew up with. Please don't hesitate to look
me up!
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