Michael W. Hinkle escaped being baptized Elmer Doyle Hinkle, but he didn’t escape being born blind in his right eye and suffering permanent double vision in his left eye. Although he didn’t learn until age 16 that not everyone sees double, his vision has never prevented him from experiencing all that life has placed in front of him

Born to fundamental Christian parents, young Hink was preaching to the congregation of the Church of Christ in Oklahoma at the tender age of ten. Throughout his teens, he worked for his father delivering milk, newspapers and luggage until the draft caught up with him in August 1969. Stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, he trained as a combat cook until orders came to report for duty in Vietnam. At last, someone realized this soldier saw two of everything and discharged him in December 1969.

The government offered rehabilitation, but only as a manual laborer. Disillusioned, Hink began traveling the country, a vagabond hippy making money when and where he could: as a street corner musician, janitor, truck driver, zookeeper, bartender, and even petty criminal.

In 1974, life conspired and offered a new opportunity. Hink found himself taking classes at East Central Oklahoma State University. From there, he went to Westfield State College in Massachusetts, then to University of Wisconsin-Platteville, then back to East Central where he graduated with honors in 1976. Although his plans did not include more schooling, he found himself at Oklahoma University Law School in 1977 and graduated in 1979.

His legal career similarly offered variety. He represented corporate giants like GM, Honda, Toyota, American Airlines and TWA, as well as hospitals, doctors, nurses and pharmacists, and asbestos manufacturers. He appeared before tribunals all over the United States. Then in 1993, an elderly couple came to see him after their house burned down and their insurance company, which had promised replacement coverage, refused to give them the market value of their home. A class action lawsuit began that ended up benefitting thousands of Oklahoma homeowners who had been defrauded and underpaid.

In 2005, after 25 years of successful legal practice, Hink retired. Since then, he’s been busy traveling around the US and Canada by car and motorcycle, and reading, researching and writing. His first novel, The Butane Gospel, will be released in March. His column, “Hey Hink,” appears each Thursday in the Edmond Sun.

As he says, he has a lot more to do before the ride is over. But for now, he’s Hink and he’ll see ya.