Professor George W. Bird's memoir begins when his great grandfather went west in a covered wagon in 1873 and concludes with a discussion of why an Anthropocene is at odds with the fundamental laws of science and nature. It describes his lifetime of pioneering research, technology innovation and education initiatives: with special reference to the science of nematology and the evolution of a philosophy of sustainable and equitable development. It includes information about integrated pest management, organic agriculture and international initiatives in Zimbabwe, Japan and the Central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.