According to the 1940 census, Robert (nicknamed "Bus") was age 28 that year and was living with his parents and sister on Sheridan Boulevard in northeast Arvada, Jefferson County at that time.

According to findagrave.com, Robert was born in Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska in 1911. He is buried in Block 19 at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheatridge, CO. His father was Floyd Tecumseh Blankenship, his mother was Ruth J. Stafford, and he had three siblings: Benjamin Wayne Blankenship, Irwin Dane Blankenship, and Marie Blankenship Felix.

According to honorstates.org: Blankenship experienced a critical situation which resulted in loss of life. Recorded circumstances attributed to: "DNB - Died Non-battle".