In this interview Robert recounts his early memories of living in Indonesia until the age of 8 when his family returned to the Netherlands. He recalls his education, his father’s work and details life in the Netherlands during the German occupation of WW2. His father was shot by collaborators. Robert goes onto recall his education after the war and studying welding. At the age of 23 he came to NZ. He describes his journey on the Southern Cross and later his trip to Invercargill by train. He talks of his early days in Invercargill, attending Polytech to get his trade certificate. Robert worked as a welder at a local garage before working for the Invercargill City Council. He went on to purchase the Northern Auto Garage, and recalls some of the employees and customers. Robert tells of meeting his wife and building their own home. He became involved with Forest and Bird and the Save Manapouri protest.