Robert was raised in the small coastal town of Ocean Falls, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for the natural beauty and resources of B.C. He later moved to Vancouver, where he attended the University of British Columbia. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Forestry in 1976, a natural progression from his interest in working with the resources of the province.

By then his interest in law had surfaced and Robert decided to pursue a second degree. He graduated with an LLB from UBC in 1979. He joined a Vancouver firm and practiced tax and commercial law with an emphasis on natural resources and innovative financing projects for high technology companies and real estate development.

Robert moved to the south Okanagan in 1988 and practiced on his own for a number of years. He also followed his interest in high technology by founding and operating Valley Internet Service Providers Ltd. This hands-on business experience has provided Robert with additional insight into the needs of his business clients.

In 2003, Robert returned to the practice of law by joining with Charles Albas to form the firm of Albas Wahl. Robert and Charles specialize in business, real estate, and wills and estates. In addition to meeting the needs of his clients, Robert also oversees the day-to-day operations of this dynamic firm. His innovative approach to the practice of law complements the vast experience that Charles brings to the firm.

In addition to serving his community's legal needs, Robert also serves on several board and committees: