Richard Van Scotter came of age in the 1950s, known as the Silent Generation, but he was hardly a quiet character. His social conscience emerged during those adolescent carefree years, as he became aware of the prevailing bigotry. All this shaped the lens through which he viewed life.

This perspective led him to a deeper search for understanding the American culture and a desire to express it through teaching, writing, and speaking. The result has been a career that took him to the classroom, academy, and world of ideas. His body of work as an author is somewhat eclectic involving critical commentary on education, the political economy, organized sports, and social issues.

He was not inclined to follow the footsteps of his ancestry into the trades, where he likely would not have accomplished anything exceptional. His legacy is encased in a noble attempt to forge a noteworthy life.