When Robert’s son was diagnosed with autism (1969) and he discovered that there were no services available, which specifically addressed the needs of such children, he made a personal commitment to bring about change.

Robert is a founding member and has been a director since 1974. In 2012, he was appointed Chair Emeritus after which he served as a non-voting board member until 2023 when the new General By-law gave him voting rights. Previously in 1973, Robert was a founding member and director of the Ontario Society of Autistic Children (now Autism Ontario). During his tenure, he served several terms in various offices, including president, until he resigned to devote his attention to Kerry’s Place and Kerry’s Place Residential Services (KPRS) of which he also is a founding member and director and now the current KPRS Chair. Additionally he was a founding member and director of the Canadian Society for Autistic Children. He gained further board experience while serving on the boards of Third Canadian General Investment Trust Ltd. (a public corporation) from 2004 to 2011 and Spencer House Limited (a not-for-profit nursing home) for 19 years. He is the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2002), and The Gerald Bloomfield Volunteer Award (2013) from Autism Ontario. He is a Lifetime Member of the Law Society of Ontario and appointed to Queen’s Counsel in 1982.