He was born in 1928 to Casper and Otillia in South Dakota, one of 5 siblings. He moved to Oregon as a young child, working in the fields picking vegetables with his family. After graduating high school, he was drafted into the US Army where he served in the Korean war. Upon his return, he worked in the upholstery business where he would eventually open his own shop "Sherwood Furniture" where he worked until he retired. He was a long time member of the Sherwood Lions Club. He was a husband to Connie, father to Leo, Jerry, Lori, & Roger, and grandfather. He He was an avid gardener, and never met a hole that wasn't worth digging. His Schipperke "Uffda" was his constant companion during his retirement years.