Rob graduated from The University of Adelaide in 1966 and trained in paediatrics in both Adelaide and Melbourne before gaining his specialist qualification in 1972.
He then travelled to England and to Canada for further studies in newborn care before returning to Adelaide in 1975, to work in both teaching and private hospitals in caring for children, with an emphasis on the care of newborn babies.
Rob now works about half time, seeing babies at Burnside and North Eastern and Calvary maternity units, and consulting at North Adelaide on Thursday mornings, and at the Stirling and Mount Barker hospitals on alternating Tuesday mornings.