Bob died December 19, 1974, in San Bernardino, California. He was born August 17, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, where he graduated from high school. He spent three years in the U.S. Army Airborne. Bob married Jeanne Louise Perry March 1, 1958, at Lake Tahoe, California. He jumped at Missoula during the 1957 season.

In December 1974 he was wanted for the fatal shooting of his daughter and his estranged wife. Later, when stopped by a California Highway Patrol officer for erratic driving, he fired two shots at the officer before shooting his female companion and turning the gun on himself. Both declared dead at the scene.