I just recently found out that Robert was adopted by Reba. If I remember correctly, Robert was Reba's brother's son and she adopted him though I can't remember exactly why. I will ask my grandmother again. My grandmother is Leola Ayars Hartenstein, she is the last living child of Reba and Howard. There were six Ayars children, Robert, Howard, Alden, Lewis, Leola and Doreen.