He was born in Catskill, New York (parents unknown). During his early years, he was raised at the Brady's in Albany, NY, then St. Colmen's Home in Watervaliet, NY. Later he was relocated to LaSalle Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, NY, where he was then adopted by Charles L. and Dorothy Anderson. They owned a farm in Catskill and raised 40 head of milk cows. Robert went to St. Patrick's School and then Catskill High School, and he graduated in 1955. Robert became a member of the Knights of Columbus during his senior year in high school.
Robert joined the Army in 1956 and taught electronics, two years at Fort Bliss, Texas and went to Germany for one year. He was honorably discharged in 1959, and joined Honeywell Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida. In 1960 while working at Honeywell he went to St. Petersburg Junior College and graduated from the University of South Florida in 1966.
During 1964 Robert was married to his love, Carole, and they went to New York World's Fair and Niagara Falls on their honeymoon. After completing college Robert went with his wife Carole to Woburn, Mass., and worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for three years. Upon his return to Florida and Honeywell, he became active in the Knights of Columbus, Largo Council #4892, in Largo, Florida. In 1969 Bob and Carole had their first daughter Kathleen and their second daughter Jennifer was born in 1971.
Robert continued to work for Honeywell as a Test Engineer. In 1972 Robert was elected by the Membership to the Board of Directors of the Florida Federal Credit Union, and in 1976 was elected as President of the Credit Union which he held for three years.
In 1979 Robert was elected Grand Knight of his council and lead them to receive the distinguish award, from the Florida State Council, of "Council Of The Year". In 1980 Robert lead his Fourth Degree Assembly, Archbishop Joseph Hurley, to many Patriotic Awards.
Robert served the Florida State Council in many way from 1977. In 1977 Robert served as the Florida State Knights of Columbus Convention Chairman at Innisbrook Resort in Florida. He also served as State Photographer, State Vocation Chairman, Bible Placement Chairman, State Youth Activities Director, State Warden, State Advocate, State Treasurer, and State General Program Director. In 1993 he was elected to the highest position in the Florida State Knights of Columbus, "State Deputy". Robert was State Deputy from July 1, 1993, until June 30, 1995. He lead the Florida State Council, with the aide of State Secretary, Edward A.Timmes of Tampa, FL, and State Membership Director, Frank Ferrara of Bonita Springs, FL, to second place in the "Circle of Honor" out of 70 jurisdictions. This honor was conferred upon Robert for two years.
After completing his term as State Deputy, Robert was nomimated for Master of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus and was awarded the position. He served as Master from September 1, 1996, until August 31, 2000. He received many awards during his term as Master installed 8 new assemblies, and achieved Supreme Council membership goals. On July 1, 1999, Robert was appointed State Handicapped Drive Chairman, following Joe Mathews P.S.D., who was chairman 25 years. The Florida State Council collected for the handicap people of Florida over $680,000 from July 1999 until June 30, 2000. In 2000-01 the collections for the handicap was over $688,000.