About Me

I originally posted a version of this on my old website in November 2002 and last updated it on October 2, 2007. I have modified it slightly.

My Name is Robert Dwayne West. I was born in Portland, Oregon on December 8, 1981. The date is significant as:

• The 1st anniversary of John Lennon's death.
• The 5th anniversary of the release of The Eagles' album Hotel California.
• The 40th anniversary of the U.S. declaration of war against Japan.

December 8 is a birthday I share with many historical figures and celebrities, including:

• Mary, Queen of Scots (born 1757)
• Eli Whitney (born 1765)
• Sammy Davis Jr. (born 1925)
• Flip Wilson (born 1933)
• David Carradine (born 1936)
• Jim Morrison of The Doors (born 1943)
• Kim Basinger (born 1953)
• Phil Collen of Def Leppard (born 1957)
• Ann Coulter (born 1961)
• Marty Friedman, formerly of Megadeth (born 1962)
• Teri Hatcher (born 1964) She played Penny Parker on MacGyver!
• Sinéad O'Connor (born 1966)
• Corey Taylor of Slipknot & Stone Sour (born 1973)

December 8 is also the date on which many Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and is the date on which Russia, Belarus and Ukraine dissolved the Soviet Union by signing the Belavezha Accords in 1991.

Though I was born in Portland, for most of my childhood I lived in the small town of Rainier, Oregon: the so called "Spirited City on the Mighty Columbia."  I am a product of the Rainier School District, having graduated as one of six valedictorians of the Rainier High School Class of 2000.  On May 22, 2004, I graduated with honors from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Construction Management.  I am proud to be a brother of the HA Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and to have served two years as President of MSOE's Society of Model Engineers. 

My other interests include:

• Trains & Model Railroading
• Reading
• Writing

• Photography

• Hiking & Camping

• History

• Amateur Website Design

• Cars, Particularly Classic Cars & DeLoreans

• Listening to Music
• Watching Television and Movies

Some of my favorite things include:

Books: The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, Catch-22

Music: Contemporary Rock, Classic Rock, '50s & '60s Oldies

Movie: Back To The Future.  (I will own a DeLorean one day!)

TV Shows: MacGyver, Early Edition, Star Trek: The Next Generation, House M.D., Community

Cars: DeLorean DMC-12, 1959 Cadillac, 1959 Ford Skyliner