Robert Paine was born in Brownsville Texas. As a young man, he served his country in the Air Force and traveled the world. Afterwards the military was kind enough to pay for his education. He earned a Masters Degree in Psychology and spent his career working to give people with intellectual disabilities more freedoms by setting up education and work programs for them. He loved his job.
He also loved traveling, writing science fiction and professional books, fixing Thanksgiving turkey dinners for 33 years, and collecting swords and Christmas decorations, especially nutcrackers.
He is survived by his wife, Huong, and son, Thomas. He was a happy, soft spoken, and gentle man. He often said to his family and friends that everyday was Christmas for him. He truly lived in paradise on earth thanks to his wife and son. Huong is the love of his life forever and vice versa.