Richard D. Rommer, 67, noted wheatgrass grower

Richard D. Rommer of Chester, Vt., died suddenly in his home on Friday, March 25, 2016. Rich was born in Nyack, N.Y., on March 12, 1949, to Lenore McCaffery Rommer and Richard J. Rommer. He graduated from Pearl River High School in Pearl River, N.Y. in 1967. He played varsity basketball and football, and was the president and vice president of his junior and senior class, respectively.

Rich was the owner of Gourmet Greens in Chester, formerly Gourmet Produce Co., which he founded in 1986. He grew and sold fresh wheatgrass and greens to customers throughout the Northeast. He had an extensive knowledge of health and nutrition, and was a talented grower, likely one of the most respected wheatgrass growers in the country.

Rich was also an avid contra dancer and lover of traditional and classical music and dance. He enjoyed attending contra dances and singing with Village Harmony, the River Singers, and at Star Island retreats. Rich brought his love of photography to the performing arts, and documented countless performances of dance, music and theater around the region.

He is survived by a twin brother, Robert Rommer of Elijay, Ga., and three sisters, Judith Poultney of Normal, Ill, Patricia Rommer of Schroon Lake, N.Y., and Carol Battey of Vancouver, Wash. He also leaves three children and four grandchildren: Joshua Rommer of Alpharetta, Ga., his wife Stephanie and their children Samuel and Madeline; Elizabeth Cook of Beverly, Mass, her husband Philip and their children Aaron and Isla; and Hannah Rommer of Lebanon, N.H.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 2 p.m., at the Andover Community Church, 928 Andover Rd, Andover, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Monadnock Folklore Society, www.monadnockfolk.org or the Northeast Organic Farming Association, www.nofavt.org

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