Robert was a graduate of Lincoln Senior High School of East St. Louis, IL and afterwards, joined the United States Air Force and served as an Air Policeman. He soon met with the clearance of his parents and Commander married Mary Lee Jackson; while stationed in San Antonio, TX. The couple married on April 7, 1955 and to that union were blessed with four children; Reginald, Jacqueline, Ronald (deceased) and Gwendolyn; until Mary was called home to rest after 54 years of marriage.

Robert attained employment with Granite City Steel Company (US Steel today) for 33 years as a Control Specialist in conjunction as serving as President and Vice President of the United Steelworkers Union. He retired after an explosion that placed his life at risk at 55 years old.

Robert remarried to Hannah Brown (preceded him in death) and to that union had two step-children; Darcell Johnson and Kevin Brown (deceased).

Robert was a lifelong member of St. Paul Baptist Church; the Randolph Family home-based church. On August 31, 2019, our daddy, your granddad, your father-in-law, your great-granddad, your brother, your uncle, your step-father and friend quietly slipped away to join other loved ones.

Surviving to cherish Robert's memory are his children; Reginald (Carole) Randolph of Edwardsville, IL, Jacqueline Randolph(David) Jones of St. Louis, MO, Ronald Lamar Randolph (preceded him in death) and Gwendolyn Randolph of O'Fallon, IL;  grandsons, Reginald Keith Randolph Jr, Michael Laurence Thomas II and David Lee Jones II; great-grandson, Carson M Thomas; stepchildren, Darcell (Israel) Johnson of Shiloh, IL and Kevin Brown (deacesed); step-grandsons, Kevin Brown Jr, Marty Bass Jr and Keelan Brown; his five brothers and sister-in-laws, James (Pat) Randolph, Scott (Willene) Randolph, Ross (Charlotte) Randolph, Lucille Randolph, Alvin (Kim) Randolph, Calvin (Tommie) Randolph and Leatha (Randolph) Washington; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors and his St. Paul Baptist Church family.