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