Rick Clements is what some may call a jack-of-all-trades. Student. Professor. Dad. Author. Speaker.
Clements grew up in Indianapolis, graduating from Perry Meridian High School before attending Indiana University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science followed by a Master of Business Administration degree in management. After this, he made a switch in studies, completing a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology.
“I turned to studying psychology because I wanted to be in a field where I felt I was more directly contributing to the lives of other people,” Clements said.
Clements was a psychology professor for 10 years, during which he married his wife, Jessica, and they began their life together in Valparaiso. In 2005, he embraced a new, important title: stay-at-home dad.
“My wife and I decided that I would resign from my teaching position at Valparaiso University in order to take care of the kids full time,” Clements said. “I stayed home with them, and my wife continued her career as a veterinarian.”
Clements sent all of his kids to Saint Paul Catholic School, followed next by four years at Andrean High School. Clements was involved with Saint Paul as his kids moved through the school, and relishes the opportunities and experiences each of his children had.
“Saint Paul helped form the kids academically, spiritually and socially,” Clements said. “The teachers and staff are all very caring about the students, and Father Roque and Father Doug do a fantastic job.”
Clements himself continued his education at the Catholic Diocese of Gary, receiving a certificate in lay ecclesial ministry.
“I have always been a religious person,” Clements said. “I appreciated that my parents sent me to a Catholic grade school, and I think that formed a strong foundation for me in the faith. I have always tried to make faith my highest priority in life.”
As his kids got older, Clements found himself with more time to pursue a passion he has had since he was a kid. Thus, he began writing.
Clements has authored two books, each centered around love with insights from the Catholic faith. The first book is a commentary about 60 quotations published in various books about love written by Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. His second book is brief reflections about an aspect of love, drawn from a variety of historically significant Catholic people. More recently, he has written a monthly article for publication on the Word on Fire Catholic Ministries website. He also writes an introductory column on a substack which involves viewing current events through the lenses of beauty, goodness and truth.
“It has been so nice for me to have this opportunity in the last several years to study my faith in more detail and to be able to write about it,” Clements said. “Hopefully, I can do some good work through it.”
Clements transformed his hobbies of reading and writing into a career, but he enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling in his free time.
During his teaching career, Clements commuted between Valpo and Muncie because he and his wife couldn’t decide whether they wanted to pack up and move to Muncie. In the end, they enjoyed Valpo too much to leave.
“We like the friendliness of people in the city,” Clements said. “We enjoy the small town feel, we have made friends here and, again, it was a wonderful place to raise our children. The size of the city, appealing restaurants and park system within the city make it a really pleasant place to live.”
To read more of Rick’s work, visit richardclements.org.