Robert Madding was born November 22, 1926 in Watsonville, CA. He enlisted into the Army January 14, 1945 at Fort MacArthur San Pedro, CA. He served in the Pacific in the 2273rd anti aircraft Artillery Command Mid Pack. Anti-aircraft guns are weapons designed to attack aircraft. Such weapons commonly have a high rate of fire and are able to fire shells designed to damage aircraft. They also are capable of firing at high angles, but are also usually able to hit ground targets as well in a direct fire role. When he returned home he went to college, receiving a degree in Industrial Arts in 1951. In 1965 Madding moved to Kansas.