Robert, aka Bob or Bobby, was born September 2, 1962, in Boulder, Colorado. At first glance, his mother, Jean, thought she birthed a son of Apollo, since Robert glowed golden under the bright hospital lights. After her pain medication wore off she learned little Bobby had neonatal jaundice, resolved via multiple blood transfusions. Robert was among the fifth generation of Coloradans on Jean’s family tree. His father, Jake, was the first-born American in his family, born in Philadelphia to immigrants who fled the pogroms of the Russian Empire.
Robert’s childhood memories include his early life in Colorado, until his father completed his master’s in English, when they moved to Sterling, Illinois, and later to Spokane, Washington, where his father taught college English. Regardless of where they were living, Robert’s family always returned to Colorado for Christmas and summer visits with his grandparents, Jack and Mabel Fowler. The Fowlers lived, owned, and operated a summer resort at Eldorado Springs near Boulder, Colorado, and at the time Robert had no idea how much these people and this place would impact his life.
Robert’s parents divorced in the early ‘70s, so he moved to Eldorado Springs with his brothers and mother to live with her parents until Jean got her feet back on the ground. While living in Eldorado Springs, Robert was strongly influenced by his Grandfather, Jack Fowler, a World War I veteran, former Civil Air Patrol pilot, and entrepreneur. He found additional role models and mentors at this crucial time in his life in Jack and Uncle Bill.
After living in Eldorado Springs several years, Robert moved to Arvada, Colorado, with his family. Inspired by Olympic gold medalist, Dan Gabel, and his older brother, Robert began wrestling in Junior High, continued at Arvada West High School, and received an athletic scholarship to attend the Colorado School of Mines where he wrestled two years and earned a BSc.in Metallurgical Engineering. He began working at a large manufacturing corporation as a Process Metallurgist, where he supervised the metallurgical quality of automotive engine component production. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Management from Kettering University.
Robert forged a successful corporate management career, advancing through the ranks to lead production departments, then starting a plant and managing several others. His business leadership influencers included his grandfather Jack Fowler, just as important as Stephen Covey, Peter Drucker, and W. Edwards Deming. His manufacturing leadership roles required travel throughout North America, Japan, and Europe.
Robert’s family includes his collaborating partner and muse, Tolli Grisham, who he lives with in Asheville, North Carolina. He has two children from his prior marriage, one in Durham, NC, and one in Oakland, CA. Robert affiliates with the Society of Mining Engineers (SME), where he is a Registered Member, Project Management international (PMI), where he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association as a lifetime member.
Robert’s current interests include writing, professional speaking, metal working, snow skiing, boating, travel, the outdoors, and being with Tolli and their dogs. Robert and Tolli are always creating and collaborating on projects, often more than one at a time, so there is never a dull moment around their house!
