Richard L. Ash, Jr. is the retired Director of Parks and Recreation in St. Charles, Missouri. Previously he was the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation in St. Charles, Missouri (1979-80). He received his B.S. from the University of Missouri at Rolla. Richard is involved in many societies including the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association which he served as President in 1996-97; Great Lakes Regional Council of NRPA (1996-present); NRPA 1996 Congress Program Committee; and Council of Affiliate Presidents (1995-present). He was the author of Parks and Recreation in the 21st Century, Chapter Two; edited and copyrighted in 1993 by Tony A. Mobley, Indiana University and Robert F. Toalson, Champaign Park District; published by the National Recreation and Park Association. Since 1974, he has presented many presentations. Honors and Awards include the MRPA's Fellow Award (1994); NRPA's Aquatic Section's Excellence in Aquatics Award (1994); and Missouri University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism’s Partnership in Excellence Award (1996).