Rich was in the United States National Guard from 1963 to 1969 and a member of the Army Reserve Officer school staff.

[1] When his father died in Palm Beach, Florida in 2006, Robert Jr was elected to the position of chairman of Rich Products.

[citation needed] Rich has chaired many industry organizations including the National Frozen Food Association (NFFA), the Uniform Code Council (Bar Codes) the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and ENACTUS (formerly Students in Free Enterprise - SIFE).

He remains involved with the Clinic today, is their chairman emeritus and assisted in their Centennial Campaign that has raised $2.5 billion.

[1] Rich has authored five books, the proceeds of which were donated to charities including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Western New York, Project Healing Waters, and has co-written a sixth.