Born Nov. 7, 1936, in Tacoma General Hospital, where his mother took her nurse’s training. Descendant of Washington state pioneers.

Graduate of Clover Park High School (’54) and holds bachelor of arts in history from the University of Puget Sound (’58). M.A. in journalism, Stanford University (’59). Russell Sage fellow in social science writing at the University of Wisconsin (‘65-66). Ph.D from Washington State University (’72).

Worked as a reporter on the Palo Alto (California) Times and on the Madison (Wisconsin) Capital Times. Worked for The (Tacoma) News Tribune in various capacities in five different decades. Won first place in headline writing in the Northwest Excellence in Journalism contest in 1988. Retired as a copy editor in 2000.

Taught journalism, English composition, and sociology at various colleges, including the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Community College, and Pierce College. Teaching assistant in College of Education, Washington State University, 1969-70.

Author of a book on the German immigrants to Washington state,
Builders, Brewers, and Burghers, (’77), for which he received a Friendship Award from the Federal Republic of Germany. Co-authored with wife, Marlene, a commemorative book on the history of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tacoma in 1988.

President, Tacoma Historical Society, (2004-2007); board member (2001-10, Member Washington State Historical Society, Lakewood Historical Society, Historic Fort Steilacoom, Chehalis Valley Historical Society. Editor, City of Destiny Newsletter. Treasurer, Historic Elbe Evangelical Lutheran Church. (One of the church association’s purposes is to preserve the area’s German heritage.) Former board member, Tacoma German Language School. Former president, University of Puget Sound Alumni Association, Mount Rainier Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity. Member, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

Recent presentations: "Where's the University in University Place?", "The Little Society That Could," "The Mountain Highway," "Monumental Tacoma."

Organizer, Landmark Series (on local history), Franke Tobey Jones Senior University.

2008 recipient, annual John Binns Distinguished Service Award for contributing to the cultural enrichment of the Pacific Northwest, Friends of Tacoma Community College Library.

Three children, four grandchildren.