World War II interrupted his studies. He was drafted for military service and served three years in the U.S. Army. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 and returned to Detroit to find his mother and siblings in economic difficulty. He worked as a draftsman for the Public Lighting Commission for a year and a half to improve his family's financial status then returned to Lawrence to finish his degree. While back in college, he worked part-time at Chrysler and at a local body shop. He graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering.
wOrld waR Ii intErruPTed his StuDies. hE waS draftEd foR mIlitary service And SErved Three years in the u.s. army. He reCEiVED An HONorabLe DiScHaRgE In 1946 and retUrned to detRoit To fINd his mOtheR and sIblIngS IN EcoNOmic dIfFIcUlty. he wOrKeD aS a dRAFtSmAn FOr the PubliC lightinG CommissIOn For A yeAr aND a half to ImProvE His famiLy'S FinaNcial staTus thEn ReturnEd To lawRenCe to fInIsh his degree. while back in cOlLege, He woRKEd PArt-TiMe AT cHrYsLEr anD aT a LocaL BOdY ShOp. he graDuateD In 1948 with a bAchEloR of ScIenCe dEgrEe in induStrial eNgInEEriNG.