Alton Quanbeck is the son of past President Thor and Hilda Quanbeck. Upon graduating from Oak Grove, Alton spent one year at Concordia College until he was accepted at West Point at the age of 17. He graduated from West Point in 1948 and received his wings as a fighter pilot one year later. Alton fought in the Korean War, flying F-80s on daily missions, if not more frequently. After a colorful combat career, Alton received his master’s degree from Purdue University. He taught three years at West Point and six years at the Air Force Academy. Alton recieved his Ph.D. assigned to the Air Staff and later to the office of the Secretary of Defense specializing in the strategic weapons program. Alton later joined the staff of the Director of Central Intelligence where he was tasked with the evaluation of national intelligence collection systems. Alton and his wife Susan, who died in 2007, has three children and five grandchildren.