Robert W Callow grew up in Idaho Springs and was the son of Robert and Evalina Callow and brother to Gilbert Callow, Sr.  The family had five sons and a daughter.  "Robert" is an important family name now carried through seven generations.

Robert was a member of the 18th Infantry, 1st Division during the war, and went through three major offenses with his regiment.  In the Argonne Forest drive, Callow was badly gassed.  He became lost from his outfit and was taken to a French hospital, and due to the confusion as to his condition and whereabouts, he was initially listed as Missing-in-Action.  He then arrived for treatment at a hospital in New Jersey and was later transferred to Camp Funston to finish recuperation prior to returning to Colorado.  Shorty after, he succumbed to his injuries.