In most aspects Professor Covert’s early years were unremarkable. Beneath the surface lurked avoracious reader, who developed a passion for American history. He majored in political scienceand history at William and Mary. A 1963 graduate of Stanford Law School, he was a trial lawyerfor 40 years, representing the California Division of Highways [now Caltrans] and other publicagencies including the Contra Costa Water District, and the California Department of WaterResources.