Robert grew up in Southern Ontario and graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1970. With strength in math and sciences, he attended Queens University, and graduated with Honours in 1974, obtaining a BSc in Engineering Geophysics. Recruited by Shell Canada, Robert spent three years working in Calgary as a Geophysical Engineer, and then decided to return to school to study law.

Robert graduated from University of Alberta Law School in 1980, then moved west to article with Bate and Company in Prince George. He practiced as an associate with Gibbs and Company, and then joined Bogle and Company, where he was a partner and barrister practicing in the areas of personal injury and family law from 1983 to 1988. He also taught Construction Law at the College of New Caledonia.

In 1988, Robert and his family moved to Vernon, where he joined Davidson and Company. As a senior partner and barrister, he practiced in the areas of personal injury, family law, product liability, and civil litigation, becoming increasingly focused on personal injury law. Cases have included motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, slip-and-fall claims, ATV accidents, boating accidents, product liability, and domestic animal altercations. Claims have ranged from simple whiplash to catastrophic injuries (including brain and spine injuries), and long-term disabilities and paraplegia.

Robert continues to reside in Vernon with his wife of 26 years, Debbie. Together, they enjoy outdoor recreation, cultural events and community involvement. Robert and Debbie have two grown children; a son in university studying biochemistry, and a daughter in the performing arts.

Robert has been active with both the local bar and the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. He was a representative on the Council for Cariboo Region of Canadian Bar Association (1985-88), Secretary of the Okanagan Family Law Subsection of the Law Society of BC (1990-94), President of the Vernon Bar Association (1990-92), Director on the Joint Court Services Committee of the Canadian Bar Association (1990 - 95). In 2001, Robert presented a paper on Social Host Liability to the Trial Lawyers Association.

Robert is also active in the community. He was President and director of the Kiwanis Club, in Vernon (1993 - 96), Secretary of the North Okanagan Brain Injury Society (1997 - 99), Cross Country Ski Coach for Jackrabbit Racers (1994 - 96), President and director of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre (1999 - 02), and Director of the Okanagan Science Centre (2003).