Rich Rommer, 67, noted wheatgrass grower, loved music, dance

©2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Richard D. Rommer of Chester, Vt., died suddenly at his home on Friday, March 25, 2016. He was 67.

Mr. Rommer, known as Rich to all, 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, played varsity basketball and football, and was the president and vice president of his junior and senior class, respectively.

Mr. Rommer 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.

Mr. Rommer 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. Mr. Rommer 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 son, two daughters 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.

He is also 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.

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