Kevin was raised on his grandfather’s horse ranch in southeastern Wyoming, but from an early age became interested mainly in science and mathematics. He earned an undergraduate degree in physics (1975) from Montana State University. After graduation he caught the earth science bug and attended the University of Utah where he obtained a master’s degree and Ph.D. in geophysics (1978,1982) while also working as a hydrologist for the USGS. Until 2002 he partnered in a number of technology and Ag companies, and developed software, especially for automation of industrial plants.

Serendipity brought him into the academic world, first as a manufacturing engineering professor at Washington State and finally as a mechanical engineering professor at University of Wyoming. He is now retired after having taught some 150 courses.