A native of Buffalo, New York, Bob became a Christian at age 14. He met his wife, Carol, in High School and they were married in 1979. He attended Geneva College (1975-1978) and graduated with a BA in Religious Studies from S.U.N.Y at Buffalo (1979) as well as a Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1984). Bob served as a Youth Director in Souderton, PA (1982-1984) and then moved to Fredericksburg, VA where he served as Youth Pastor at New Life in Christ Church until 1992.  In the same church, he became both a College Minister and Missions Pastor from 1992-1993. In May 1994, he started New City Fellowship of Fredericksburg. New City Fellowship was started around the vision to bring people of different ethnicities, cultures and economic classes into one fellowship through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Bob and Carol have four children: Melody, Gretchen, Nicholas and Grace. He is a history and movie buff, proud grandpa, Founder and President of Open Hand of Fredericksburg and friend to many.