Robert was born in May of 1860 in New York City, to where parents had returned after a long sojourn in Baltimore. He was was the sixth child of Martin Henry van Hovenberg and Mary Theresa O'Connor. According to the unpublished transcript of baptisms at Trinity Church in New York City, where he was baptized May 5, 1870, he was born May 16, 1861. The date is probably correct, but the year is wrong; since Robert appears in the June, 1860 census in New York City as one month old.
At the age of 2, he and his family moved to Manchester Township outside of Paterson. Like his brothers Martin, Alfred and James, Robert practiced law, but according to the 1880 census, his first employment was as a toll keeper on the Godwinville Pike, which stretched directly in front of their property.
Robert was extremely active in law, not only in Paterson but also in New York, and lived in Ramsey (then called the Ramseys) for a time, both Ramsey and Manchester being among the first commuter towns to New York City via railroad. He was also active in the Episcopal Church, civic affairs, and real estate.
In addition, Robert was an accomplished musician and church organist. He played weekly services at a local church, and some of his published music, including arrangements of such standbys as "Abide With Me" survive.
Robert married Emily Spangenmacher in the late 1880's, but had no children. Instead, for five years, they played a leading role in the raising of James Jacob's three daughters, Emily, Alice, and Gertrude following the death of their mother in 1899. Robert was fondly remembered by all of them, particularly by Gertrude: Robert had a system of rewards whereby the girl with the best report card would be rewarded with a bright red copy of the classics, ranging from Cooper to Longfellow, and Gertrude always managed to win the prize.
While vacationing on the Jersey shore, Robert was stricken with pneumonia, returning home, he died in Paterson on February 15, 1923. He is buried with his wife at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey.
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