Son of two natives of Southampton, Robert came from a large family with at least seven siblings. He married Emily Alice Westbury in 1910 and although they had an infant registered in the 1911 census it seems that it died in infancy and the couple would have no further children.

He signed on to Titanic as a fireman and had previously served on the Olympic in the same role. Couper survived, it is suspected he was rescued on lifeboat 3 but it is not certain. He returned to Southapmton and continued to work at sea.

He died on 31 December 1941 at Southampton Docks. His widow continued to live in Southampton and passed away in 1963.