About Me
I am originally from Alaska, USA, where I studied at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). I now live in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, with my wife, Mutsumi. We have two daughters and two grandchildren.
I am a military veteran, having served in the United States Army as an infantry soldier. Most of my years of service were stationed in Alaska at Fort Richardson and Fort Wainwright. I was also posted at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Knox, Kentucky; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Military service runs in my family—both of my parents served, and our family lineage includes many generations of service.
Outside of teaching, I’m passionate about the outdoors. You’ll often find me riding my fat-tire bike, hiking mountain trails, or taking walks on the beaches in Rumoi, one of my favorite coastal towns in Hokkaido. I enjoy sharing stories about Alaska and weaving those adventures into conversations with students, so there is always an interesting topic to explore.
Fun Fact: I have driven from Alaska, through Canada, all the way to Virginia Beach on the East Coast of the United States eighteen times. The route is the Alaska Highway (often called “the Alcan”), a 2,100-2,500 km road from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, through the Yukon, to Delta Junction, Alaska. Built in 1942 as a military supply route, it is still the only land route that connects Alaska with the lower 48 states.
Other Hobbies
- Exploring antiques and history
- Cooking
- Spending time in nature