A Texas native, growing up mostly in the south, Burt Rich is enjoying his retirement in south central Tennessee where they have lived since 1984.  After college, his careers have been in Christian FM Radio broadcasting, teaching avionics in college, an executive in avionics manufacturing, and concluding his career as an executive in automotive electronics manufacturing with Chrysler and Siemens.  He has served over 25 years as a worship leader in various churches in Ohio, Kansas, Tennessee and Alabama and is also a private pilot and an Advanced Class Amateur Radio operator.  Burt and his wife, Norma, have seven children and eighteen grandchildren.

Burt has been involved in photography most of his life, learning in his early years from his father who shot both sheet and roll film, and also doing his own developing and printing.  Shortly after retirement, Burt and Norma lost their oldest grandson, T.J., to cancer.  A few months after T.J.’s battle ended, Burt joined NILMDTS in 2011 to honor T.J.’s memory.  He initially served NILMDTS as an Assistant and currently serves as a  Photographer, Area Coordinator, and Volunteer Coordinator.