Richard Roach was born in Philadelphia and has lived most of his adult life in southern California. He earned a master's degree in history from UCLA in 1971. He has worked at various times as a boat builder, real estate broker, paralegal and special education teacher, but has been a painting contractor for the past fifteen years. In 1969, he and Eric began working together on what eventually became the Joe's World series some thirty years later. He lives in Ventura, California with his wife Margaret Merryman and three cats.