Gary is a native Arizonan with deep roots in the state. His grandparents established a homestead farm in Tempe in 1893, and his parents—both graduates of Tempe Normal School, which later became Arizona State University—owned Miller’s Indian Store in Tempe.
Gary earned his “Desert Rat” title early, exploring Arizona alongside his father, a rockhound and artist. He went on to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from ASU, serve as a U.S. Army officer in Vietnam, and complete his education at Thunderbird Graduate School. His professional career took him around the world in international banking with a major British bank.
After retirement, Gary and his wife, Bonnie, returned home to Arizona. As a WTMC Trail Steward, Gary has logged more than 3,000 miles in the White Tank Mountains—often spearing discarded cans with his pointed walking stick, offering directions to visitors, and sharing spontaneous lessons about the area’s flora and fauna, sometimes in Spanish or German.
Gary’s “full-time hobby” combines his love of the desert with his artistic side. He creates one-of-a-kind works of art from saguaro scabs—remnants of bird nesting cavities that have been legally collected from private or BLM land, never from parks. For many years, Gary has generously donated his creations to WTMC charity events and other community causes.
His story reflects a lifelong connection to Arizona, a deep appreciation for the desert, and a commitment to giving back to the landscapes and communities he calls home.
