About the Author

Born in 1935, Steve Matthews grew up on his family’s farm in the seacoast town of Seabrook, New Hampshire. After high school, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he received training as an electronics technician—laying the foundation for a lifelong career in technology.

Following his service, Steve enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, but after three semesters the call of adventure led him south to Florida. There, he joined the legendary "Range Rats," a tenacious group of early pioneers on the Eastern Test Range whose dedication played a critical role in America’s journey to the 1969 moon landing.

As the Apollo Program drew to a close, Steve transitioned to a role with Honeywell Aerospace in St. Petersburg. Two years later, a layoff gave him the chance to complete his degree using the remainder of his Korean GI Bill benefits. He graduated from the University of South Florida in 1977.

In 1979, Steve and his wife, Betty, returned to her hometown in Tennessee with their two sons, bringing with them a spirit of exploration, resilience, and a trove of stories that would one day fuel his writing.

Steve and Betty are both retired from the Department of Energy plants in Oak Ridge.