The Bandeen children excelled at school and Robert earned a scholarship to the University of Western Ontario where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science, graduating in 1952 with the Governor General's Academic Medal.
One of his first major decisions as vice-president Great Lakes Region was to consolidate the U.S. lines under a newly created holding company named Grand Trunk Corporation.
He also moved to organize operations requiring government subsidies into separate entities, including CN Marine, Via Rail, and Terra Transport.
Under Bandeen's leadership, CN refused to build new freight cars for grain shipments in Western Canada, citing the economics of the Crow Rate.
Following his career at CN, Bandeen worked for Crown Life where he was instrumental in reorganizing the company by reducing management, increasing profits, and improving brand awareness while taking on new business divisions.