Background
Kevin was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). After a brief stay in Galveston, Texas (USA), he returned to the St. Louis area where he now lives.
biologist blogger Higher education administrator professor author podcaster circus performer Wild animal trainer Organization Leader Zoo Professional Study Travel Educator
Kevin was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). After a brief stay in Galveston, Texas (USA), he returned to the St. Louis area where he now lives.
As a child, he was active in camping, natural history, and exploring the wooded areas adjacent to his home. He worked at the St. Louis Zoo in high school and undergraduate college as a tour guide, zookeeper, educator/naturalist, and wild animal trainer. Patton then became an apprentice lion tamer in a circus act but left that to become a high-school biology teacher. He continued to work summers as a wild animal trainer and also completed a master's and doctoral degree, researching stress in captive wild animals and studying vertebrate anatomy, physiology, and behavior. Patton moved into college biology teaching, eventually focusing on human anatomy & physiology—a field in which he also authors textbooks and other educational resources. Winning several awards in teaching, service in professional organizations, and textbook excellence, retired from full-time teaching and now applies himself to training the next generation of college teachers.