Served on the Iowa Supreme Court from May 1, 1971, to October 1, 1987. From August 3, 1978, until his retirement, he served as Chief Justice. He became a Senior Judge following his retirement.
Born at St. Edward, Nebraska, May 17, 1920, he was graduated from the State Teachers College at Wayne, Nebraska, in 1942. Following service in the United States Navy during World War II [1942-1946] he was graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1948. In that year he engaged in private practice at Osceola, Iowa, where he continued until coming on the Supreme Court. From 1953 to 1957 he was County Attorney of Clarke County. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
He was president of the Conference of Chief Justices and the National Center for State Courts, 1984-1985.