Suffered from ear infections that persisted for several years during his school years. Finally cured by surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, but his hearing was permanently impaired.

Received Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from U. of Minneosta in 1935. Tried farming from 1935-1937, but after a series of poor crops he started working at Dominion Experimental Farm at Indian Head, SK in April 1938. He was transferred in 1947 to Regina, where he continued until retirement in March, 1974.