Dick Couch received a Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in Agricultural Education and a Master of Science from the University of Tennessee in Agronomy and Botany.  He has a NASA Fellow in 1963-65, supporting his Ph.D work at Auburn University in Botany and Biochemistry.  Richard did his Post Doctoral work at Oklahoma State, Athens College, Oak Ridge Assoc. University and the Children’s Medical Center.  A Professor of Biology since 1975 at Oral Roberts University, he remains affiliated with the University.

A member of the Society for over 25 years, Dick was elected to the Board in 1983 and served as President 1988.  He as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Aquatic Plant Management from 1982-90.  He has done basic research and applied science over a wide-range of topics, from his 1968-73 study on the effects of lasers on certain aquatic plants to the preparation of a State Design memorandum for an aquatic plant control program in Oklahoma.

Dr. Couch is a past president of the Oklahoma Academy of Science and is on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Clean Lakes Association.  He is listed among the Outstanding Educators of America, Personalities of the South International Who’s Who in Community Service and American Men and Women of Science.  He is married to the former M. Jane Mitchell and they have two daughters.  Hobbies include gardening, automotive repair and aquaculture.  He is a deacon with the Baptist Church and donates time to various civic organizations.