A fifth-generation Texan born in Dallas, I came to SHSU in 1972 and until 1982 served as the Chairman of the Department of Geography. My wife Nancy and I have two children. Sandy, married to Max Schulz, has her own book publicity business in Washington, DC. She and Max are the parents of three of our favorite grandchildren - Pete, Joe, and Dominic. Son Rick, Director, Digital Merchandising and Account Management for Sony Corp. of North America, and his wife Jennifer live in Los Angeles and are the parents of our two other favorite grandchildren, Nora and Lucy.

My research interests are historical-geographical in nature and center around the Sabine River-Caddo Lake border area of Texas and adjacent Louisiana during the early Republic of Texas period. Recent publications have dealt with historic-era Caddo villages, Mexican and Republic of Texas land surveys, and early Anglo settlement in eastern Harrison/Panola Counties, Texas and adjacent Caddo Parish, Louisiana. I am currently writing a book on the area entitled: Before the Line: A Geographical Analysis of Selected Period Records from the Caddo Lake-Sabine River Borderland, 1803-1841. In the spring of 2008, after six long years of research, my brother Wayne and I completed a 600 page Tiller family history book entitled: American Adventure: The History of a Pioneer East Texas Family, 1657-1966. The book won the 2008 Texas State Genealogical Society's First Place Award, Category I, Family History Book by a Non-Genealogist.

When not in the office or visiting grandkids, I like to sit in a rocking chair and gaze down on the cool, clear Comal River in New Braunfels.