Rich Romaine was a professional carpenter, having a passion for shaping and fitting wood for functional and practical purposes. After graduating from Cedar Grove High School, he continued his education at the County College, taking classes in building and carpenter architecture. In 1991 he and his brother started their own carpentry business.
Then in September 2009, Rich fell off a roof, shattering and breaking his back. He spent the next 3 months in a body cast. Defying the odds of his back healing, he was recovering well, except for his left foot which was also shattered. After 12 surgeries, he was still unable to walk on that foot. Not wanting to live on pain pills, Rich decided to have a 13th surgery, this time to amputate. In September 2012, three years after the accident, he became an RBKA – right leg below the knee amputee.