Richard Himmer was raised in San Diego by his widowed mother. His father was killed during the Vietnam War when he was 10 years old and as the oldest of 6 children, he grew up fast. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in International Relations.

He married the former Cheri Seal in 1982 and they are the parents of 5 boys, 2 granddaughters, and one incubating grandchild. His three eldest boys are married. Four of his boys are Eagle Scouts with Samuel; the youngest still a thriving Bear Scout.

He has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from City University and is currently a doctorate student at Walden University specializing in Organizational Psychology.