Active in the communal movement and health education, Richard Burt Seymour sought to recreate the extended family unit through community after noticing that families were being broken up by increased work travel. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in English and comparative literature with an emphasis on creative writing, both from Sonoma State University, he co-founded the experimental college, College of Mendocino in Boonville, California, where he also served as coordinator and administrator for several years. His time at the College of Mendocino, also known as Compost College, is detailed in his book, “Compost College.”
Mr. Seymour went on to become the business manager and eventually executive administrator and director of training and education projects at Haight Ashbury Free Clinics in San Francisco, California, where he remained for 34 years. From 1972 to 2007, he held simultaneous positions as an instructor at John F. Kennedy University and assistant professor at Sonoma State University. During this time, he also worked as a freelance writer and became president and chief executive officer of Westwind Associates in Sausalito, California, where he still works today.
In addition to his primary appointments in his career, Mr. Seymour served as the coordinator of the California Collaborative Center for Substance Abuse Policy Research from 1997 to 2007. He is also treasurer and chairman of the board of directors of the World Drug Abuse Treatment Network. Civically, Mr. Seymour has been involved with several community organizations, such as the California Primary Prevention Network, the San Francisco Delinquency Prevention Network, and the Alcohol and Drug Counselors Education Project. Previously, he was active with the CalDrug Abuse Services Association, the Marin Drug Abuse Advisory Board, and California Health Professionals for a New Health Policy. For his efforts in health education and mental health services, Mr. Seymour has received grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Mr. Seymour is proud to have been able to contribute to the advancement of treatment and health services. The idea for his first book, “Drug Free,” was thought of after he received a call from a book editor from Rolling Stone magazine asking if he would write a book about recovering from drug abuse and staying sober. Mr. Seymour believes this book was a milestone because it focused on living life after drugs, which is often the hardest part of recovery.
In retirement, Mr. Seymour enjoys writing mystery novels. He has authored five books: “If it’s Tuesday, it Must be Murder: A Gable Mystery,” “The Red Tide Murders,” “Death Comes to the Reunion,” “Murder by the Dock of the Bay” and “Ariadne’s Thread.” His novels are available under the name Rick Seymour and can be purchased as e-books from Amazon.com.
Contact Mr. Seymour: