He was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1950 to Anton and Bentonia Rez. Robert attended and graduated from the San Diego Military Academy. Robert became a welder and worked on major construction projects such as the Coronado Bay Bridge and the San Onofre Power Plant. However, most of all, Robert was a wonderfully talented musician. His passion started with the bass guitar and continued with a plethora of other instruments ranging from guitars to drums to the didgeridoo. At one point the count was over 46 instruments he was able to pick up and just play.

During his musical journey he was a studio musician for many artists and groups. Robert was the Drum Sergeant of the House of Scotland Pipe Band for many years, teaching and performing with the band on many prestigious performances: Playing for Queen Elizabeth in Balboa Park, for the British Olympic Team, appearing in Rod Stewart's video of his number one hit, "Every Beat of My Heart" to name just a few. His passion for all genres of music ran from his Scottish Folk Duo Drumalban, to many mainstream popular bands in rock-n-roll, country, blues, he played with them all. In his teen years it was a garage band out of Del Mar called the Templars that set his passion on fire. The Templars released a popular single called Chafungie. Subsequently appearing in a Jerry Lewis movie performing their hit which took them on a 50-day tour of the US playing and promoting the movie. Onto Kalyber, Fred Heath and the Slidewinders and The Mo'Bedda Band.

Along the way he became a photographer, tailor, wood crafter and a marksman specializing in black powder and Schuetzen rifles. One of his favorite hobbies was restoring antique Singer sewing machines back to working order.

Robert was preceded in death by his father Anton, mother Bentonia, and is survived by his 3 children Vanessa James (Nee Rez), Robert (Tony) Rez, Kenneth Rez and 5 grandchildren Daniel, Aidan, Ella, Colin and Evelyn.