West was born on September 19, 1928, in Walla Walla, Washington,[REF] to Otto West Anderson (January 25, 1903 - October 9, 1984)[REF][REF] and Audrey V. Speer (1906-69) [REF].
West attended Walla Walla High School during his freshman and sophomore years, and later enrolled in Lakeside School in Seattle.