J. Robert Surface grew up in Charleston County, South Carolina, in a devout, hard-working Christian family. His father retired from the US  Navy as a Chief and raised his sons and daughters in a strict environment while he studied pre-Pharmacy at the College of Charleston from 1959 to 1963. Robert’s upbringing was tough but loving, and it instilled in him a strong work ethic. Robert graduated from St. John’s School in 1966, Rivers High School in 1969, from the College of Charleston as valedictorian in 1973, and from the University of South Carolina Law School in 1978. He also did graduate work at Clemson University.