The author of this biography was born in Sandwich, Illinois, in 1945. Ralph lived his entire childhood in Sandwich up to age eighteen. Three days after graduating from Sandwich High School in June of 1963, the author was off to Marine Corps Boot Camp in sunny San Diego, California. After completing his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Ralph went on to get his business degree at Northern Illinois University. For the past 26 years, Ralph has been employed at his alma mater where he hopes to retire soon. Ralph and his wife Peg now make their home in Sycamore, Illinois.