Chuck Heath, Jr. was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, but has resided in Alaska since the age of two. He spent his early years hunting, fishing, and trapping around the state, as well as staying very active in sports and church activities. He graduated from the University of Idaho, where he was a member of the Vandal's football team, with a Bachelor's of Science degree. He returned to Alaska and began a long teaching career which afforded him time in the summers to gold mine and write.