Raymond Barnett studied Chinese history and language at Yale University, graduating magna cum laude. After studying theology for a year at New York City's Union Theological Seminary, Barnett served with the U.S. Arm in Vietnam at Long Binh, working in the Surgeon General's office at Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam. Upon earning his Ph.D. in evolutionary ecology from Duke University, Barnett spent the next three decades on the Biological Sciences faculty at California State University, Chico. During this time he worked with community leaders to found Chico's Gateway Science Museum. When he retired, the museum Board proclaimed Barnett "Father of the Museum." Barnett and his wife were among seven founding families of Valley Oaks Village, a cohousing community in Chico. Barnett's interests include snorkeling and tide pooling in Hawaii and California, kayaking California's coasts and rivers, backpacking in the High Sierra, mystery stories (particularly Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Judge Dee), the culture of traditional China (particularly the tea cult and porcelain), and music of the Baroque in Europe (particularly Antonio Vivaldi and J.S. Bach). Descriptions of his fiction and nonfiction writings can be found at www.raymondbarnett.com.