Robert was raised in Indiana and enlisted in the Marine Corps in Indianaoplis on 21 April 1955 and served on active duty until 1959. After attending boot camp in San Diego with markmanship training at Camp Matthews, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton for infantry training.
With basic training complete, Bob was assigned to the Communication Battalian at San Diego for Radio Telegraph School, MOS 2533. Upon completion of his MOS speciality training, he was assigned to the 2nd Bn, 7th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa. Bob rotated with the 6th Marines from Okinawa to Camp Fuji Japan. In 1958 he was assigned to the guard detachment at the Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey, Morocco until his discharge as a Sergeant on 20 July 1959.
Bob assumed his current office of Sergeant at Arms for the Marine Corps League Detachment #968 on 21 April 2010.