Based on the 1930 Federal Census, his father was a Station Agent and
his mother had no profession. Robert was, at that time, an only child.
At the time of the census, Robert had not yet turned 17.
Robert's father, Louis R Hanks was born in Illinois about 1885
(grandparents from Ky and Ind) and his mother, Leah E, was born in
Texas about 1892 (her parents were also native Texans); they were
married about 1910, and lived in a home that they owned.