Three times an all-leaguer in swimming, twice team captain, he also captained the water polo team and won sectional championships in 50 and 100-yard freestyle events before entering San Jose State. He was captain of Spartan swimming and water polo teams and an Honor Society member at San Jose. After two years in the Army Air Corps, he launched a distinguished career in Naval aviation as a decorated squadron commander, serving in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. A resident of Chula Vista, his aviation expertise was recognized as a member of the San Diego Airport Advisory Committee.