Gerald grew up in a small town, Effingham, in Southeastern Illinois. He attended Eastern Illinois University for his undergraduate degree in Botany and the University of Illinois for graduate degrees. He came to North Carolina in 1968 to begin a career at NC State University. He served there for 38 years and is now enjoying retirement.
At NCSU he taught courses in plant sciences and also mushrooms and molds (that's why he is such
a "fun guy" to be around). He is not really retired though because he is very active in his Church, Christ the King Moravian Church, Durham, NC (www.ckmc-church.org/). He has lead a small group that meets weekly. He has taught Sunday school classes, etc. He has five daughters and 16 grandchildren. His family is very important to him. He has carved ducks for his five daughters as wedding presents. He has been carving with Vic Kirkman for over 10 years. He has taken carvings to various wildlife contests including the Ward World Contest in Ocean City MD. He is presently finishing a red tailed hawk. Since retirement Gerald has traveled to Ladakh India on a missions trip. He is considering a Missions adventure in China.
He occasionally pretends to golf. He would be interested in discussing a commission carving.
