Coombs grew up in a small rural town of Norway Michigan In Michigan's majestic Upper Peninsula. Graduated high school from Norway High School in 2006, and proceeded to go to Kendall College of Art and Design With a concentration in photography. In 2009, he suffered from a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. After spending a year at home, he returned to Kendall in August of 2010. Robert graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design in May 2013. he made a splash in the 2012 ArtPrize with his "Disabilities And Sexuality" entry, where he received the "Social Action Award" for his venue at The Fountain Street Church and also was selected for the juried top 25 in the two-dimensional category.

http://www.artprize.org/robert-coombs/2012/disabilities-and-sexuality