A 1959 graduate of Sheffield High School, Bob was an outstanding athlete in both football and track. He was selected to the All Tri-Cities team. After high school Bob was signed to a football scholarship to Florence state College and lettered for 4 years from 1959-1963. He was chosen UNA Alumnus of the year in 1978. Bob was an officer in the United States Army from 1963-1976, serving three combat tours in Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic. He was awarded the Silver Star, five Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the Cross of Gallantry. His platoon was principal in the 1970 Documentary "The World of Charlie Company" which won an Emmy Award for Best Documentary and was also principal developer of a United States Army "How to Fight" film series used in world-wide training programs.