He was an outstanding athlete, active in baseball, basketball and choir. He graduated from Bayfield High School in 1969. He was drafted into the United States Army on 3 Feb 1970, and at his request transferred to the Marine Corps Reserves. He went through basic training at Camp Pendleton, California and then served in Viet Nam from 24 Feb 1971 to 24 Mar 1971. After being honorably discharged, he continued his education at WITC-Superior, receiving a degree as a certified machinist. He worked for Harley-Davidson and B&E Steel in Milwaukee for a few years. He hit the pow-wow trail the summer of 1976, first as a fancy dancer, and later becoming a traditional dancer.297 He lived in Red Cliff, Wisconsin from at least 9 Dec 1980 until his death in 2005. .