During World War II he served as lieutenant in the United States Navy and was released from active service in 1946.

In 1966, he left Emporia State to take a position as president of the University of Wyoming.

He chaired or served on approximately 200 master’s or doctoral committees during his term at SIU.

President John F. Kennedy appointed him to the National Citizens' Advisory Committee on Vocational Rehabilitation in 1961 and President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him to the National Committee on Employment of the Handicapped in 1964.

On Christmas day 1936 he married Glennie and went on to have two daughters Wynetka Ann and Rebecca and lived in West Columbia, South Carolina.