Rick was born in Chicago, Illinois and has always had an interest in living things, both plant and animal. His parents were not gardeners, but had grandparents who were, and they were his mentors.

He began his education and graduated from Michigan State University. He began in Commercial Floriculture and Greenhouse Management after that he served in the Military Service. U.S. Army Medical Corp. Southeast Asia. 1968, 1969, 1970.

After the Army, Pudwell purchased a small farm in Illinois. Where he grew, vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, as well as poultry, exotic birds and animals.

Rock worked as Greenhouse Manager and later a Nursery Manager. In 1977 he married his wife, Kris. After a number of severe winters decided to move to a milder climate. Had 2 small children.

In 1986 he accepted a job at the Memphis Zoo as General Fireman/Horticulturist.
Made significant changes in the landscape, added greenhouses, built a Horticulture Department from scratch and became active with the Memphis Horticulture Society, Mid-South Fair Horticulture, Tenn. Nurseryman’s Association, steering Committee of the Mid. So Native Plant Conference, etc.

In 1994, he left the Zoo and did landscape design for Trees by Touliatos.

In 1995, he joined the staff at the Memphis Botanic Garden where he was the Director of Horticulture for 27 years. Managed the Horticulture staff planned plantings, managed plant sales, did programs for garden clubs and plant societies etc.

Rick has been recognized by The U.T. Master Gardener Program, The Memphis Zoological Society, The Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, The Garden Club of America, Memphis Horticulture Society .

He is now retired since September 2022.