Robert was born 2 Jan 1927 in Davenport, Scott, Iowa the 3rd child of Albert Ralph and Mabelle BUFORD BAWDEN. Marian Jane BAWDEN CHRIFIELD and Virginia Jane, an infant, born 6 Aug 1915 and died 6 Aug 1920 in Davenport preceded Robert. A half-brother Ralph succeeds him.

Robert graduated from Davenport [Central] High School and attended St. Ambrose College [University] in Davenport before serving as a Sergeant in the Army after WWII in Germany. Following his discharge, he returned to St. Ambrose to complete his freshman year. In the Fall of 1947, he he enrolled in the University of Iowa (Iowa City, Johnson Cnty) where he graduated in 1950 from the College of Commerce with a Bachelor of Science degree and major in advertising.

He married Sarah Jean GIBSON on 31 Mar 1951 in Rock Island, Illinois Trinity Episcopal Church. Sarah was the dtr of James WATSON and Mary Mabel BECHTEL GIBSON born 27 May 1926 in Marshalltown, Marshall, Iowa. Her father
was born in Glasgow, Scotland 22 Sept 1881 and died 10 Nov 1962 in Marshalltown. Sarah graduated form Marshalltown High School and the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Bob and Sarah were members of the University of Iowa marching band: she played the clarinet and Bob played the cornet. Bob played Rhapsody in Blue for part of his senior year graduation requirement.

In 1950, Bob joined Bawden Bros., Inc. the family advertising and printing agency in Davenport where he was an account executive. In 1972, he became Executive Secretar of the Rotary International Club of Davenport as its first full-time secretary. Sarah began to write for the Davenport Daily Times newspaper in 1947 [Quad-City Times] and was Entertainment Editor and Religion Editor. She was a member of the Iowa Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women. She died in Silvis, Rock Island, Illinois' Illini Hospital on 9 Dec 2003.

In 1980 Bob was selected as honorary Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International - given by the Rotary Club of Davenport in recognition of outstanding service to the community and organization. Bob died 26 Jun 2000 in Davenport. They had 4 children incl. a set of fraternal twins: James Stephen born with brother Albert Daniel on 30 Oct 1952 in Davenport, Frederick Andrew born 28 Apr 1955 and Virginia Mabel (Ginna) born 22 Apr 1958 in Davenport.

Bob and Sarah are buried in Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois.