
Vern was a music teacher and supervisor for band and choir at Federal Way High School from 1958 to 1968, and served as district director of music from 1968 to 1974. He was director of music and art for Tacoma Public Schools from 1974 to 1990 and served WMEA as board president from 1974 to 1976. He co-founded and co-conducted the Puget Sound Music Society, and was active on the Tacoma Arts Commission and the Tacoma Youth Symphony Board.