He has a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Duke University and a Master’s degree in Computer Graphics from Cornell University. At Cornell, he worked on simulating realistic surfaces, taking computer-generated images beyond the distinctive plastic look they had at the time. In 1981, he joined Lucasfilm/Pixar, where he developed the first as well as high-end renderers. He was the first to use Monte Carlo techniques in computer graphics, particularly important in the special effects industry, because it allowed computer-generated imagery to match the motion blur and depth of field of the live-action footage with which it was combined.
Robert cook as of now is retired and living in San Fransisco, California with his wife and son. In year 2016 at the month of November he became the commissioner of the Technology Transformation Service of the US General Services Administration.