As a young Air Force pilot, Richard was diagnosed with cancer and learned that he had only a few months to live. Thirty-six years later he's still going strong. He earned a management degree from the University of Notre Dame and after leaving the Air Force he ran three successful companies involving advanced security products and hi-tech displays used by US embassies and government facilities worldwide. He was an active member of the California Crime Prevention Officer's Association and has been published with cover stories in Security magazine and ASIS Security Management magazine. When asked what he hopes to achieve as a writer, he said, "The dream for me is to be walking through an airport and notice someone with her head buried in the book. Many readers have said they found it impossible to put down. For me, that's the ultimate compliment." Bard currently resides with his wonderful wife in Redondo Beach, California, where he remains in excellent health.