Bob Mitchell was born in Casper, Wyoming, in 1918. He attended the University of Wyoming, where he produced, co-wrote and directed two ASCAP award-winning musicals. He also acted in college productions and set up the university's Radio Department. He served as a lieutenant in the US Army's 7th Infantry Division in World War II, being stationed on Attu Island off of Alaska as well as other areas of the Pacific. He was shot in the chest while on Attu and carried the bullet for the rest of his life. While recuperating, he wrote the stories of the other men in his hospital tent. For this he was made an aide to the general in charge of media for the rest of the war.After the war he joined his wife, Esther Mitchell, in Hollywood where he wrote for radio (over 200 episodes of "Phillip Marlowe")) with his college friend Gene Levitt. He and Levitt moved their families to New York to write for Steve Allen's TV show, and Allen remained a lifelong friend.When he returned to L.A. he wrote for such series as The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956), Highway Patrol (1955) and Perry Mason (1957). While working on the latter, his wife Esther joined him as his collaborator, and they wrote together for the rest of their careers, over 20 years.