Patrick J. O'Connor graduated from Northern Illinois University with BS (Physics) 1968 and MS (College of Engineering/Engineering Technology) in 1998. He also holds a Master's Degree from National-Louis University (Management) 1983.He taught at DeVry University beginning in 1968, became Electronics Technician Program Chair in 1989, and Dean of the Electronics and Computer Technology Program 1999, retiring in 2007.Co-Author (with Leah O'Connor) of Physics Experiment: "Planck's Constant using LEDs." presented at Argonne National Laboratories to the AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers) in 1973, and published in "The Physics Teacher" in1974. Following that presentation he was invited to be a charter member in NIU's chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma member (Physics National Honor Society).He holds a Second Class FCC radiotelephone operator's license, obtained in 1973, and is also a member of the ISCET (International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians) holding licenses as a Journeyman in Electronics and Journeyman in Computers, obtained in 1991.

He and Leah have traveled to eight total solar eclipses. In 1973, he won a bronze medal for astrophotography of the comet Kohoutek, awarded by Adler Planetarium, Chicago, which exhibited his photo throughout the following year.He and Leah joined CACHE (the Chicagoland Computer Hobbyist Exchange) in 1976--a pioneering organization in development of computer interconnection, they developed the world's first computer bulletin-board, CBBS.After scoring a 91 in the Miller Analogy Test in 1981 and a 27 in the OMNI Mega Test in 1985, he joined the Triple Nine Society.Author of textbooks "Digital and Microprocessor Technology" 1981 and 1989 editions, and "Understanding Microprocessors: How Computers Work" 1985. Co-Author, "Voice Data Telecommunications" 1986 with Michael Gurrie.He and Leah wrote articles for Kilobaud magazine and shared columnist/contributing editor roles for Interface Age magazine and TRS-80 Computer User during the 1980's.As a science-fiction fan, he designed the Retro Hugo Award trophies given to Ray Bradbury and Wernher Von Braun's at Noreascon 4 in 2004.

Presently, he is president and webmaster of Chicagoland Costumers' Guild. On the board of directors of the International Costumers' Guild, and editor of their newsletter from 2008-2012.