Joe R. Eagleman (1936- ) was born on a farm near West Plains Missouri. He received the Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 1963 and was a professor at the University of Kansas for 39 years. He taught many thousands of students through his courses and through four different textbooks used by more than a hundred universities over a span of several decades. He directed a successful experiment, funded by NASA, on Skylab and invented a tornado in his laboratory that was used by Universal Studios for the 50 ft. tornado attraction in the Twister Building in Orlando Florida. He is also the author of a technical book on severe thunderstorms that includes his tornado safety research which resulted in changes that have been adopted nationally.

His autobiographies, Name Your Price and Monumental Moments, tell of his early life on a farm where he was the 11th of 12 children. They include his experiences in a one-room grade school, as well as his work as a professor and research scientist. They tell of his many interests such as a musician, artist, taxidermist, luthier and Bible School teacher.

Since his retirement he has written several books that are available worldwide, recorded several albums of music available on Spotify, Etc., and created paintings that are available on Fine Art America.