The author is an 84 year old retired natural engineer who resides in Kerrville, Texas. Duke was born in Iowa and raised in Moultrie, Georgia where he graduated high school in 1950. He served almost four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1954. He attended Texas College of Arts and Industries in Kingsville, Texas where he meet his future wife, Helen Stewts. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering. After graduation, he worked for Conoco for 15 years in a variety of engineering positions. He then worked for the consulting engineering firm of Purvin & Gertz for almost 23 years, retiring as executive vice president.