Dick was an Australian and New South Wales interstate representative three-quarter back. The son of an Austrian immigrant, Vest was born Gregoria Richard Veserema in the country New South Wales town of Barmedman. Vest and his two older brothers were sent to a boys home in Westmead, playing junior rugby league for local club Parramatta. Vest commenced his first grade career with Western Suburbs in the 1914 NSWRFL season and played a total of 88 games.
During the 1920 Great Britain Lions tour Vest played in all three Tests for Australia as they won the Ashes for the very first time. He was later selected to go on the 1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. Dick Vest died at Enfield, New South Wales on 11 June 1974