Herb Bryce was born in rural Arizona in 1933 and moved extensively throughout his childhood and teenage years. After serving four years in the Navy during the Korean War, he entered Arizona State University, where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He pursued a career in the sciences and served as division chair of Physical Sciences and professor of chemistry at Citrus College and as the dean of Science and Mathematics and professor of chemistry at Seattle Central College. Herb has received the Lingafelter and Salutes to Excellence awards from the local section of the American Chemical Society. Herb admits he is left-brain dominate; however his right brain is quite active. He has a passion for the arts and is a cofounder and board member of the Shoreline–Lake Forest Park Arts Council. In his spare time he loves to travel to gain an understanding of the cultures around the world. Herb currently lives in Shoreline, Washington, where he is an active member of his local community. His philosophy is that service is the rent we pay for living. Me and the Cottonwood Tree is his first book.