Robert was born the second child of working class parents. He attended a local primary school from ages 5-11 and started work at age 13. During his early childhood, Robert met his future partner, Nancy Stower, and the two of them often played on the streets together.

As teenagers, the two of them began dating and Nancy came to live with Robert in his home along with his parents and older brother. Robert worked multiple jobs as he planned to save money to enable him and Nancy to rent their own home. In 1974, while the two of them where living at Robert’s childhood home, Nancy gave birth to their first child, Damon Stower. Shortly after the birth, Damon and Nancy moved into a flat for themselves.

8 months later, the couple’s second child, Kurt Stower, was born, followed by Joe Stower in 1977, Liam Stower in 1979, and Ethan Stower in 1980.

Robert struggled to parent Kurt due to his autism and learning disability. He inflicted frequent physical and mental abuse towards Kurt in an attempt to control his son and take out his own anger and frustration. Robert also encouraged his other sons, Damon in particular, to do the same to Kurt. During one incident, Robert cracked Kurt’s skull open after which he rushed his son to hospital leading to large healthcare charges. These bills put the family in debt they never recovered from, something Robert held against Kurt from then on.

Over time, Robert and Nancy’s relationship became strained due to the worsening mental health of the both of them and in 1997, Robert left the family for good. From there, he stayed with various colleagues before becoming homeless. gaining a heroin addiction and passing away from an overdose in 2002.