 He studied at Ohio University (bachelor's degree in
zoology in 1948), University of Illinois (master's degree in ecology in 1949), and Texas A&M (Ph.D in degree wildlife management in 1952).He spent most of his professional career at the Illinois State Museum (ISM), but was recruited by the University of Tennessee in 1973.At the ISM, he trained many students who went on to become prominent in the field.