Robert Francis Sullivan, was born on May 16, 1923, as the second son of Leo P. and Elizabeth (Hawn) Sullivan. Bob grew up on a farm near Dunlap, graduating high school in 1940 from St. Joseph School. Bob married Theresa Marie Dieter October 11, 1945, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Together they raised a family of 16 children while farming and living off the land in and around Dunlap, Dow City, Denison, and Earling.