BORN: June 18, 1923, International Falls

FAMILY: Wife, Phyllis; son, Greg; daughter, Cindy Kevern.

PRIVATE-SECTOR CAREER: Storekeeper, paper mill employee, union representative

MILITARY SERVICE: U.S. Navy, served as a pilot in Pacific Theater during World War II

POLITICAL CAREER

1964: Elected to Minnesota House

1973: Elected House majority leader

1980: A minority of DFLers joined with Republicans to block him from becoming House speaker

1982: Lost to Bob Neuenschwander in DFL primary

1984: Made first of two unsuccessful attempts to regain seat

1990: Defeated Neuenschwander by 125 votes and regained House seat

1993: Elected House majority leader again, then speaker

1997: Lost speakership to Rep. Phil Carruthers

2006: Retired from Legislature

Sources: Minnesota House, Star Tribune research