I grew up in Melbourne, FL, and have lived in the south for most of my life. Now live in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm a retired meteorologist of 26 years (incl. 7 yrs with the National Weather Service, 15 yrs with the US Navy). Served 22 yrs, concurrently, as an Air Force Reserve Officer in a Hurricane Hunter squadron flying into many Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes. Began losing dexterity in my right hand in 1994. PD diagnosis confirmed in 1996 and retired in 1999. Developed online "weather school" (wxteacher.com). Now I'm a volunteer weather science teacher at a local public school

Actually born in Teanek, NJ, but my family transplanted me to Florida at age 9.  Grew up in Melbourne, FL, and graduated from high school there in 1960.  Worked over seas for Pan American Airlines at Ascension Island, SAO during 1963-1966.  Earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in meteorology from Florida State University with minors in mathematics and physical oceanography.  Added additional graduate work in ocean modeling from Louisiana State University.  Lived and worked in the Louisiana-Mississippi area for over 30 years.    Joined the Air Force Reserve with direct commission in 1977. Directed aircraft reconnaissance flights into hurricanes as mission director (22 yrs).   As a civilian, I was Data quality manager for National Data Buoy Center (7 yrs).  For U.S. Navy (15 yrs), managed ocean model development in support of U.S. Navy's large combatant ships.  Diagnosed  with PD in 1999 and forced to retire.  Happily married to a great gal from Iowa.   Help teach weather at a local middle school. In Des Moines, Iowa.  Spend a lot of time on computer managing a web site specializing in weather education (http://www.wxteacher.com). Travel about twice a year to visit family, including five wonderful grandchildren, in North Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida.