Robert, from Pontiac, IL, was a Steam Propulsion System Supervisor and served on many ships during the Cold War. He attended boot camp at Great Lakes, IL. His first active duty assignment was aboard the aircraft carrier USS America (CVA-66). He then went on to serve on the USS Francis Marion (LPA-1024), the USS Seattle (AOE-3), the USS Compass Island (AG-153), and the USS Miller (FF-1091). He then went on to serve at the Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) located in Newport, RI and Norfolk, VA.