Rick Geffken

Rick Geffken has written numerous articles on various aspects of New Jersey history for local newspapers, magazines and newsletters. An energetic and popular speaker, he has spoken at the New Jersey History & Historic Preservation symposia, Rutger and Monmouth Universities and dozens of libraries and historical societies throughout the Garden State and has appeared on the New Jersey Cable TV show Family Historian. Rick is a trustee of the Shrewsbury Historical Society, past president and a trustee of the Jersey Coast Heritage Museum at Sandlass House, former publisher of the Monmouth Connection and a member of the Navesink Maritime Historical Association and the Monmouth County Historical Association. He is currently heading up a project called the New Jersey Slavery Records Index.

Rick's publications include The Story of Shrewsbury Revisited, 1965-2015; Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore (Arcadia Publishing); Highland Beach: Gateway to the Jersey Shore, 1888-1962; Hidden History of Monmouth County (The History Press); and To Preserve & Protect, profiles of people who recorded the history and heritage of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Rick has owned and operated several small businesses, taught secondary school mathematics, was an adjunct professor at Ocean County Community and enjoyed a successful career with Hewlett-Packard. A retired U.S. Army officer and decorated Vietnam veteran, he holds a BS in economics from St. Peter's University, a Secondary Teaching Certificate from Monmouth University and an MA from Montclair State University.