He was a veteran of World War II. A paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division that jumped on D-Day. 1943-1946.

He was married in 1946 (Russell County, Alabama) to Mildred "Mickey" Thomas, later divorced in Chicago, Illinois, and they had two children: Donna Jean Brown (born in Columbus, Georgia) and Thomas Riley Brown (born in Chicago, Illinois.)

He then married Jeanette Rose Santori Owens in Chicago, Illinois on 3 Sep 1955. He was stepfather to Audrey Ann Owens Brown and grandfather to her daughter Kelly McWilliams. Kelly had a daughter named Isabella Rose McWilliams in 2012.

His other grandchildren are as follows:

From his daughter Donna: Noreen Beth Folan, Brian Patrick Folan, and Erin Kathleen Folan.

From his son Thomas: Anna Christine Brown and Robert Joseph Brown. His great grandchildren are Caitlin Elaina Folan, Connor Patrick Folan, Aidan James Folan, and Caragh Marie Folan from grandson Brian Folan.

His great granddaughter Emma Rene Burkhalter is from his granddaughter Erin Folan.

His various nicknames were Bubba, Brownie, Bob. He had an extraordinary sense of humor, was an extremely bright man. He was very skilled in carpentry as a hobby. 

NOTE: Robert was cremated, disposition of his ashes is unknown.