Bob passed away in Spokane, Washington, on June 20, 2013. He was born on September 11, 1921, in Buffalo Gap, South Dakota. He was raised in Hot Springs, SD and graduated Hot Springs High School in 1939.

Bob went on to serve in WWII in the Army Air Corps. While serving on the USAAF 96th Bomb Squadron, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Bob would graduate the University of Montana with a degree in Journalism. He became the editor for several newspapers in Montana and Washington. He jumped at Missoula 1946-48 and had eleven practice and 6 fire jumps.