Robert Fife was the 4th of 11 children born to Washington Lucas Fife (1828-1898) and Priscilla Richardson (1837-1923) who are buried in Glendale Christian Church Cemetery located in Hardin County, Kentucky. Washinton L. Fife was a son of John Fife and Nancy McGinnis who are buried in Dellview Cemetery located in Hardin County, Kentucky.

Robert Fife was married to Etta P. Jones on July 2, 1896.

From newspaper obit;
"Robert E. Fife was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, September 30, 1863, and died at Halstead, Kansas, July 8, 1924, aged 60 years 9 months and 8 days.
He grew to manhood in Hardin county, graduated from Grayson seminary in 1886 and taught school for a few years. Later he entered the ministry of the Christian church, taking as his first pastorate the church at Lackhart, Texas. As a minister much of his time was taken in evangelistic work and lecture engagements. His meetings included revivals in over half of the states of the Union.
He was married to Etta Jones July 2, 1896. To this union were born eleven children, four boys and seven girls.
He came to Kansas and settled near Plains. After residing there a few years he became pastor of the Christian Church in Plains and served until he removed to Nickerson in 1912. He has since resided here.
He leaves to mourn his departure a wife, four sons, Paul, Dennon, Ransom and George, all of Nickerson and seven daughters, Rachel Sallee, of Topeka, Kansas, Bessie, Helen, Loucile, and DeEtta at home, two grand children, Bobby Cheatum and Donna Lee Fife, three brothers, Roger H. Fife of Texhoma, Okla., L. H. Fife, East View, Ky., and James Fife of Ky. Three sisters, Mrs. L. C. Cash of San Bernardino, Calif., Mrs. G. B. Curtis, Plains, Kansas, Miss Virginia Fife, East View, Ky. and a host of friends.
A friend of Mr. Fife wrote of him a few years ago: He is partial to the poor and delights to help those who help themselves. He never forgets a friend. He is one of the few who cares little for public opinion. The high and the low are alike to him. He is a lover of home and mother. He is a natural poet and is the author of several songs numerous tracts and one quite pretentious volume."