Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, specifically Westmoreland County, Bob developed an interest in the outdoors at a very early age. By the time he was six years old he fell in love with fishing and by 12 he developed an interest in fly fishing. For the next four years he fly fished and spin fished. By the age of 16 he realized he only wanted to fly fish.

Following high school, Bob attended Slippery Rock University and received his B.S. in Resource Management. Then between his junior and senior year at Slippery Rock, Bob accepted a summer position with the National Park Service as a backcountry ranger in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park in California. After returning to SRU to complete his senior year he was offered a full time backcountry law enforcement position at Sequoia-Kings Canyon.

While working in Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Bob saw the opportunity to start guiding fly fishermen on his days off. After four years in California, he accepted a position in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a backcountry law enforcement officer and wildlife handler. He continued to guide again on his days off. After eight years, Bob decided to call it quits.

Returning to Pennsylvania, Bob continued his guiding and started to work in fly shops. After thoroughly learning the business side of fly fishing, Bob purchased the Outdoor Shop in 1997 and renamed it the Neshannock Creek Fly Shop. Later that same year, Bob had the opportunity to appear on ESPN's "Fly Fishing America" with host Chad Foster as they fished the same popular stretch of Neshannock creek that runs from the dam downstream.

Bob has always recognized the importance of building for the future by creating programs for young anglers and supporting all youth activities involved with the outdoors. Bob's greatest enjoyment is watching a young person hook and land their first fish on a fly rod.

Never forgetting the importance of the people that took the time to teach him along the way, Bob is never too busy at the shop to help a novice or the most experienced fisherman decide what equipment is best for them.

In addition to his love for trout and steelhead, Bob enjoys fly fishing for bass and pike, and especially enjoys saltwater fly fishing. If it pulls the line, it is definitely worth the effort. Bob has had the opportunity to fish "out west", Central America, the Bahamas, Alaska, and Florida. Bob can't wait for the time when he'll retire from the day-to-day operation of the shop to become just a fishing bum.