He had a chance encounter with a naturalist in a state park in Indiana when on vacation with his family .
This meeting inspired him to train to become an elementary school teacher , a job he thought would free up summer vacations for the family .
He had a chance encounter with a naturalist in a state park in Indiana when on vacation with his family , and this meeting inspired him to train to become an elementary school teacher , a job he thought would free up summer vacations for the family .