US Army Major General. Born in Darby, Pennsylvania, he had a distinguished military career as Deputy Commanding General of US Army Aviation Systems Command and as Executive Secretary to Secretary of Defense in the 1980s. He retired from active service a Major General in 1991. In 1995, he was the first African American in Washington State history to be appointed Seattle School Superintendent, a position he held until his death. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith) Cause of death: Leukemia