Robert Marks was born in New York City in 1939. He attended public schools on Long Island. After graduation he studied at Syracuse University and graduated in 1961. He met his wife, Carolyn at Syracuse and they were married in 1963. They have two sons. After graduation, Bob served in the Air Force National Guard Reserve. He continued his studies and was certified a CPA in New York State in 1980. He moved to Florida in 1984, passed the Florida CPA examination and was certified in 1984. He and his family moved to Parkland in 1985 and he because a member of the Parkland Planning and Zoning committee in 1986. 

Bob was elected a Commissioner in 1988 and became Vice Mayor in 1989. He became a member of the Florida State League of Cities in 1995, was elected President in 1998 and served until 2006. He gained valuable information on the state level which he shared with the Mayor and Commissioners. He loved Parkland, worked hard on its behalf and represented Parkland on many Broward community affairs boards and committees. He was successful in getting the Broward School Board to consider new schools in Parkland by being a member of the Broward School Facility Task Force for 18 years. Bob served Parkland as Vice Mayor for 15 years and was elected the 10th Mayor in 2003.