After graduation from Wingham High School, Robert worked as a executive at Electrohome in Kitchener for 4 years. Robert and Gloria have been married since 1969 and have 2 sons, 1 daughter and 4 grandchildren.
Since 1968 Robert has been self-employed in the handling of livestock and freight. Robert was elected to council for the municipality of South Bruce in 2010 and upon being elected as Mayor in 2014, Robert has retired from being in business.