Robert Richert

About the Author

Robert inherited writing talent from his mom. She never attended college, but read extensively and honed her skills by writing numerous letters and an ongoing memoir. Over a ten year period, the Long Beach Press-Telegram published over 40 of her letters to the editor. Robert followed in his mom's footsteps. From the late 1970's into the late 1980's the Press-Telegram published over two dozen of his letters. One, an editorial about dilapidated conditions at a nature center near his home, received an award; "Merit Winner, Local Issues."

During the late 1980's, nationally distributed Wildlife Art News Magazine published two articles by Mr. Richert. One was an editorial defending wildlife art as a fine art form. It received numerous positive responses. In the early 2,000's Toastmaster Magazine published three of his educational articles. The magazine reaches 8,000 members and is distributed internationally. In 2021 his essay entitled, JC Saves my Sole, placed first, "Humorous Essay" in the national Veterans Administration Creative Arts Competition.

Robert specializes in nonfiction, particularly memoir.

How Open Wound came to be

Robert Richert's first book, Open Wound: My Physical, Psychological and Philosophical Journey through the War in Vietnam, resulted from his participation in two years of group therapy sessions for PTSD at the Long Beach, CA, VA Hospital. During some sessions, each patient was compelled to write down his worst experiences in the war. Initially highly distressing, writing about these terrible episodes helped to lift a huge weight of years of suppressed feelings and combat memories from Mr. Richert's shoulders. A few short, hand written scribbles and typed essays eventually blossomed into his book, Open Wound—which has reviewed favorable reviews and sold well on Amazon.

How Apple Pie Atheist came to be

Polls consistently show that Americans will vote for a Muslim, homosexual, or just about anyone else before they would check the box for an atheist. Robert Richert wrote Apple Pie Atheist in order to help dispel the many negative myths that people believe about one of the last minorities toward which public denigration is considered acceptable. Robert is a second generation atheist. Both parents became non-believers during their teens, and raised him, his older sister and younger brother without religious beliefs and practices—but, with time-tested American values. Robert likens his upbringing to that of 1950's family TV shows like Father Knows Best, Ozzie and Harriet and Leave it to Beaver. Raised in a middle class stable family, he went on to lead a happy, fulfilling life.

Many books on atheism are primarily about philosophical issues and arguments revolving around the issue of the existence of God. Apple Pie Atheist is different. Much of it is a memoir. Some of Mr. Richert’s stories are humorous, some inspiring, some thought provoking, some sad, some deeply moving and some do not have happy fairy tale endings. Readers will understand that everyday life for Robert, and most others like him, may be similar to theirs. His last chapter offers an optimistic message for the future of humanity.