Personal Profile

I become involved in aviation, which eventually became a lifelong passion at the tender age of 22 when I bought my first plane, a 1940 Taylorcraft BC-65 for which I paid only $1,400.00. It needed so many repairs I decided to take it apart and lovingly restored it over a nine month period (almost literally “my baby”), I’ve owned a several Bellancas, from ‘46 Cruisaire to a ‘51 Cruisemaster and ‘59 Cruisemaster 260, a 1959 Piper PA-28-180 Comanche, until finally reprising my first effort in another 1940 Taylorcraft BC-65. I’ve found enjoyment as I repaired and restored several antique aircraft including 2 1940 Taylorcraft, and various '46 ', 51 Bellancas. Eventually and mistakenly I thought that becoming a USAF pilot and “Strapping my ass to an afterburner” would be a culmination of that joy beneath the passion of flight. I was wrong.

While my 50 years of being a pilot makes my love flying obvious, I recognized the immense pleasure and true satisfaction was from actually mastering the command of all types of craft. But even more, I relished the joy of knowing, of understanding and controlling all types of tools and machinery, from simple woodworking tools to sophisticated jet aircraft and technologically advanced electron microscopes. The act of accumulating knowledge and mastering understanding accompanied by fine tuning of skills is a joy that permeates my entire being and never fades. As I’ve grown older and wiser I recognized the importance of that childhood fascination with the world around me also stimulated my lifelong thirst for knowledge. With that understanding I also rediscovered a nascent creativity which was the first breath of air that enlivened my passionate curiosity.

A disabled veteran USAF pilot retired from a career in science and technology. I have been an analytical Chemist, Crime Toxicologist, Semiconductor Process Engineer, equipment support engineer and sales manager for Wafer Manufacturing Capital equipment such as the $1.5M electron microscopes at U of A Mat Sci dept. I was a consultant in ceramics engineering, technological marketing and venture capital investment. My professional photography was used in advertising and articles in a nationally distributed technology magazine.

In a final recognition of my creative nature behind my passion for life I find that now I’ve become an artist and fine art photographer. I find new joy and artistic pleasure beneath the inspiration and behind the fulfillment of any creative endeavor, in creating new and original . All art, from physical creation from molded ceramic, paint, sculpt driftwood and mixed media sculptures to performing as a jazz vocalist, to writing poetry, essays and editorials on my Airplayn's Hangar blog. My Art Photography has now been exhibited at Warehouse 1005 Gallery. Also on display there was my 17ft wingspan Steampunk "Rocket Birdman" flier exhibit which was built for the 2011 Alwun House Gallery Steampunk Gala and displayed at various conventions such as Comicon, Lepricon, Dark One's Ball and was the subject of a feature article in the Lepricon Convention FanZine. My Art can be viewed on my Facebook emergeART page and emergeART.art. I have been a volunteer for Artlink AZ and various galleries and jammed as a vocalist at "The Nash" . I love children and have worked with both special ed and STEM students and with 12 years as a moderator in the AZ Science Bowl. My Antique Science Collection has been a feature display exhibit at local STEM conventions. Now I find myself not limited by my creativity or even by my will, but from the ravagers of time and the deterioration of my body. But my mind and spirit soar.