Born and raised in Wisconsin, Robert enlisted in the US Army in 1943. He landed in Cherbourg, France in 1944 with the 8th Armored Division and ended up in Germany as the war in Europe ended. After returning home to the woman he would be married to for 66 years, he graduated from the Detroit College of Law on the G.I. Bill.
Raising his family in Oakland County, he grew his humble law firm as attorney for multiple towns and serving on the local bank board. As an avid boater, he planned his semi-retirement in Florida and eventually moved there in 1982. He teamed up with Willie Gary on litigation against FP&L and decided to join his firm as a senior partner. He never expected that would lead to taking on some of the biggest corporations in the world and winning some of the largest civil judgements in American history. He continued practicing law well into his 90's as the oldest active bar member in Florida.