In 2013, he published a book of poetry entitled Pilgrim Footsteps; and in 2016, a murder mystery entitled The Template: A Parable of the Environment, focusing on the growing problem of climate change. He is also a frequent contributing columnist to the Argus-Dispatch newspaper. From 1989 - 2009 he served as Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois; and currently serves on a number of regional boards, including Augustana College, Figge Art Museum, and Trinity Regional Health Systems/Unity Point. In addition to writing, he also enjoys hiking as well as watercolor and oil painting.