Richard Casper

Richard Casper is a United States Marine Corps veteran and the co-founder of the nonprofit organization for wounded veterans called CreatiVets.

Background and career

He joined the Marine Corps infantry and was selected to guard then-President George W. Bush at Camp David for a 14-month assignment.[1][2] In 2006 and 2007, while on tour as a U.S. Marine in Iraq, Casper experienced multiple concussions that led to traumatic brain injury. He returned to his hometown of Washburn, Illinois with PTSD, depression and anxiety.[3]

To deal with his trauma, he took classes and focused on getting an art degree. He earned an art degree from Heartland Community College and was then accepted at the School of Art Institute in Chicago.[4] He graduated with a bachelor's in fine arts with a focus in sculpture from the School of Art Institute of Chicago in December 2012[5] and started to form the idea for a nonprofit to help other veterans.[4] In 2013, he and Linda Tarrson co-founded CreatiVets,[6] a nonprofit that helps veterans through music and art programs.[3] As of 2022, the program has helped more than 900 veterans.[1]

Recognition

President George W. Bush recognized Casper's work in 2017 and the two met at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Texas.[3]

In 2022 he was named a CNN Hero.[7][8]

References
  1. Dunn, Meg (2022-08-11). "From battlefields in Iraq to the Nashville music scene, how a Marine veteran is using art to heal". CNN. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  2. "Veterans, Leadership, and the American Spirit". George W. Bush Presidential Center. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  3. "'I Found a Way to Talk About It.' How Art Helped a Veteran Heal After the Iraq War". TIME.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  4. "Giving veterans a creative outlet to heal". www.chase.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  5. "How Art Helped US Veteran and Alum Richard Casper Heal". School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  6. Hoffman, Holly. "Model Behavior: Richard Casper". Nfocus. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  7. "CNN Hero: Richard Casper". MSN. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  8. "Alum Richard Casper Named 2022 CNN Hero". School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
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