Biography of Roald Kverndal, the author of Seamen's Missions: Their Origin and Early Growth (1986), The Way of the Sea (2008), and George Charles Smith of Penzance (2012). He was born in England of Norwegian parents. After years as merchant seafarer and marine lawyer, he entered the ministry as seafarers' chaplain in ports around the world. He has a Doctorate of Theology, has served as pastor at several churches in the U.S. and abroad, and was executive secretary of the North American Maritime Ministry Association, as well as maritime ministry consultant for the Lutheran World Federation and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He and his wife, Ruth, raised four children and now reside in Washington State.