Bob's roots in the PCUSA run deep. He was born the third of five children into a Presbyterian family. His father was a deacon and an 
Elder, while his mother sang in the church choir. Bob graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. (Presbyterian) with a B.A, in psychology in 1978. After working in business for five years, Bob felt God's call to attend Union Theological Seminary in Va. (D.Min, 1987).
Since graduating from Union, Bob has served pastorates in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. In addition to serving those growing churches, Bob has been president of a housing group, instituted after school programs both at church and in the community, served as a PTA president and a Ruritan, taught parenting classes, helped to start a community food pantry, sang in a popular gospel group, served a program director for a group home for adults with a serious mental illness, and served as president of Moore County NAMI. He also has extensive professional training in working with families. When he isn't working, Bob enjoys time with family, traveling, playing piano and exercising.
Bob met his wife Joanna at Montreat, a PCUSA conference center. They married in 1991. Joanna is a retired Harnett County Schools speech therapist, who has recently returned to work part-time because she loves her calling. They have two sons. Ross lives in Greensboro, where he is a passionate member of West Market Street United Methodist Church. Peter graduated Magna Cum Laude from Davidson. He is now a research assistant pursuing a master's degree. Peter and his wife Anna Catherine live in Atlanta.