After graduating from Anderson High School, obtained an A.A. from Joplin Junior College, a B.A. and M.S. from the University of Missouri (Columbia) and a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska (Medical Center). He took a faculty position at the University of Kansas Medical Center where he taught medical students Anatomy/Cell Biology, did biomedical research and trained Ph.D. students the biomedical sciences for some 18 years. He then served in the KUMC administration as Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for some 20 years and later as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs until his retirement. During that time he founded the 501(c)3 KUMC Research Foundation and served as the President. He and his wife Pat, “retired” to the family farm to run cattle in 1999. He currently serves on the Crowder Board of Trustees.