Kaiser (b. 1923) was born in Burkburnett (Texas).
He attended Saint John's College (Kansas) and considered becoming a minister until he realized it was not his vocation and enlisted in the Army in 1943. Kaiser volunteered for deep sea diving school and became a Technical Sergeant First Class Diver with the 106th Engineer Port Construction and Repair Group. He served in France and the Philippines, clearing debris and repairing docks so supply ships could get through. After the war, Kaiser graduated with a bachelor's in journalism from North Texas State University, did some graduate work at George Washington University, and received a PhD in English literature from the University of Wisconsin. Kaiser taught for many years with University Extension in Madison.
From the description of Oral history interview with Donald F. Kaiser, [sound recording], 2006. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 526723055
