Bobby (Robert) was born and raised in Massillon, Ohio, where he grew up attending Myers United Church of Christ. During high school, Bobby developed a deep love for music as a member of bands, choirs, and musicals. He then obtained a degree in French Literature and Culture from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in 2012. At OU, Bobby developed a deep love for experiential education during his employment with Residential Housing and found his passion for social justice through work with his honors fraternity, and the University Program Council.

Since his time at OU, Bobby has held a variety of positions, some of the most notable being a Bass Soloist for a summer music festival in Siena, Italy, doing training and development for several large restaurant companies, being Co-Director of Music, Mime Art, Drama, and Dance Camp, and Chair of the Division of Outdoor Ministries for the Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ. In 2019, Bobby began attending the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA, and, in May 2021, he graduated with a Masters in Christian Leadership.