After graduating with a degree in business from Wayne University in Detroit Bob started a window manufacturing company, serving on the national Board of the Architectural Aluminum Manufacturers Association and the United Way of Oakland County, Michigan. Fifteen years later he ventured into commercial real estate, and served as a vice president of the Detroit Board of Realtors.

Bob moved to San Diego in 1976 where he pioneered the consumer video industry. In 1980 as an owner and CFO at Voice & Video Inc., commercial video equipment sales organization. Bob has served on the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club Board for over 27 years and was president in 1987. He co-founded The La Jolla Festival of Arts, served as the Site Chairman for 22 years and as General Chairman in 2001. He was treasurer of the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation for over 10 years and is a member of the Foundation Board and the Investment Committee.

In 1996 Bob and his wife Judy joined CBI. In 2001 he co-chaired the Social Action Committee. He was co-founder of the Stand With Israel Committee and is active on the CBI Men's Club, serving as president from 2007-2009. Bob was named CBI Volunteer of the Year for 2002/03.

Bob and his wife Judy served on the Shalom Committee for 8 years. Bob has two children, Bill a La Jolla architect, and Ellen Friedman a physical therapist residing in Phoenix, and two adult grandchildren.