R. Michael Howe spent 20 years in various roles in the music industry and earned a PhD in mathematics at the University of Iowa, becoming a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he is now Emeritus Professor. As a mathematics professor he has supervised research and independent study projects of scores of undergraduate students, at least a dozen of whom have gone on to earn a PhD in mathematics. He still enjoys playing music and his other hobbies include hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, biking and skiing.