Rich Rockwood
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A minister of twenty years in the Reformed Church in America, Rev. Rich Rockwood found himself suddenly faced with the loss of his spouse two days after their seventeenth wedding anniversary. Grief suddenly became more than a serious topic in a seminary textbook; Rich experienced it firsthand. But, he had to continue ministering to others who were hurting in the same way. He also soon realized that most people eventually tire of hearing about someone else’s personal loss. As a result, he joined a grief support group and in that protected sphere, he learned that it was OK to share thoughts that might seem unusual to those who have not experienced the loss of a loved one. Writing Memory Theft was part of his journey of healing. Born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Rev. Rockwood holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He received the Peacemaker Award from a mediation group in Kingston, NY and has contributed a series based on the Book of Job to the Words of Hope Daily Devotional. Rev. Rockwood retired from full time ministry in 2007 and now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he volunteers at a local food pantry and enjoys singing in a choir. He preaches occasionally and continues to develop his writing, which he finds gives him greater clarity of thought. In 2010 he married Cindy who also suffered the tragic loss of a family member. He hopes to continue writing in a variety of different literary genres in the future.
