Only child of Jerry C. Gaard(son of Conrad A. Gaard and Seraphine G. Larson), and Alanna J. Henke(daughter of Alfred J. Henke and Jeniece F. Sims).
Born on August 28, 1967, Colorado Springs, CO.
Attended Widefield Elementary School, Sproul Junior High School, and Widefield High School(Honor Graduate - Class of 1985).
Started bowling at the age of 9. Competed in numerous Colorado Junior State Bowling Championships to eventually win the all-events, team, doubles, and singles events.
Attended Colorado State University and Pikes Peak Community College.
Served in the United States Air Force from 1987 to 1991. Attended Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory technical school(Honor Graduate) at Lowry AFB, CO. Was stationed at Hickam AFB, HI and assigned to the Hickam AFB PMEL. Obtained an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Electronic Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Achieved rank of Sergeant, E-4. Member of the Hickam AFB varsity bowling team that won the 1989(held at Osan AB) and 1990(held at Kadena AB) PACAF bowling championships. Served briefly in the USAFR as a C-130 E/H Aircraft Dock Inspection Technician at Peterson AFB, CO after completing two aircraft technical schools(Honor Graduate) at Sheppard AFB, TX. Achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, E-5. Received Honorable Discharge.
Attended University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Worked at TRW, Inc.(Colorado Springs, CO), Lifetouch(Bloomington, MN), Nguyen Electronics, Inc.(Blaine, MN), National Calibration and Testing Laboratories(Golden Valley, MN), Robins AFB PMEL(Warner Robins, GA), Northrop Grumman(Warner Robins, GA).
Purchased first motorcycle, 1992 Kawasaki EX500, in 1994. First new motorcycle was a 1996 Honda CBR600F3(~55,000 miles). Also purchased new Yamaha YZF-R1's in 2005(~53,000 miles) and 2013(~32,000 miles).
Bowled a 300 game in 2009.
Possible descendent of 1620 'Mayflower' passengers: Stephen Hopkins, Edward Fuller, Elder William Brewster III., and Thomas Rogers.
My last wishes will be to donate organs, to be cremated, have a simple urn, and be put in an above ground columbarium at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery.