A long-time Madison resident, he received a bachelor?s degree from the University of Wisconsin, his medical degree from the UW Medical School and in 1953, began his practice in general pediatrics at Wisconsin General Hospital. In 1968, he left Madison to take a fellowship in adolescent medicine at Harvard University. It was during this period that he developed an interest in child psychiatry, finally returning to Madison in 1970 to continue his training. He soon joined the faculty of the UW Medical School with a joint appointment in pediatrics and child psychiatry.