Bob was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He came to the Naval Academy directly from high school. After graduation Bob went into Navy Air and received his wings of gold in Kingsville, Texas after completing the single engine jet training program. He then spent a tour in a FJ fighter squadron on the East Coast.

In 1960 Bob left the active duty Navy and took a job with TWA as a pilot-flight engineer based in New York City. He maintained his Navy affiliation by joining a reserve fighter squadron based at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Bob was recalled with his reserve squadron to active duty in January 1968 during the Pueblo crisis. Upon release from active duty Bob gravitated to Texas where he became employed as an engineer for the Aeronautics Division of Ling-Tempco-Vought in Dallas. He also joined a Naval Reserve fighter squadron flying F-8's out of Naval Air Station, Dallas. On 9 September 1970 Bob departed NAS Dallas on a night training mission in a F-8, and did not return. He was found in aircraft wreckage near Turkey, Texas. It is believed bad weather was the main factor in the aircraft accident.

At the time of his death Bob was survived by his wife Judy, two stepchildren Charles and Stephanie, and three children, Robert, Stephen, and Diane from a previous marriage.