Author: Edward Lawrence

Michael J. Ober is three generations deep into Montana’s history and lore. He was born and raised in Havre, Montana, and received both a BA and MA in history from the University of Montana, and a MLIS in Library Science from the University of Denver. He then pursued a diverse career in education at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana, serving for forty years as library director, academic advisor, and instructor of English, Montana history, and handgun marksmanship. During the summer months he worked seasonally, for forty-four years, with the National Park Service in Glacier National Park on fire crews, as a backcountry ranger, and as a law enforcement road patrol ranger. A long-time student of Montana’s colorful past, Michael has traveled back and forth across the state to recreate and seek out places and people connected to the state’s culture and tradition. He writes freelance for several regional journals, including Montana Senior News, Montana Outdoors, Steamships Magazine, Montana: the Magazine of Western History, Mountain Outlaw and Big Sky Journal. In 2010 he authored Glacier Album, which showcases vintage photos of Glacier National Park. Michael lives in Kalispell, Montana.