Robert Parker McFarland was born on November 2, 1944, in Bay Springs, Mississippi. Bob graduated from high school in 1962 and underwent academy preparation for one year at Marion Institute in Alabama. In the summer of 1963, he was sworn in as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. In June of 1967, he graduated from the Naval Academy and was ordered to Pensacola, Florida for flight training.

In the fall of 1968, Bob obtained his Wings as a Naval Aviator. He returned to Pensacola as a formation flight instructor for one year. Then he was assigned to the fleet and ordered to Patrol Squadron Nine in San Francisco, California.

In the summer of 1972, Bob was honorably discharged from the Navy. He was hired as a airline pilot with Eastern Airlines. However, after one year, Eastern was required to furlough a number of pilots because of a fuel shortage. For three years, he worked for a bank and a credit union while attending law school at night.

In December of 1976, Bob graduated from law school and the following February, he passed the bar examination. That same year, he was recalled to Eastern Airlines and continued his flying career while continuing his law practice. In 1989, Eastern Airlines terminated all operations. Bob then resumed full time practice of law.

In 2001 Bob's son, Parker McFarland, joined his father in the practice of law and the firm was renamed McFarland & McFarland, P. C. Parker McFarland specializes in criminal law, personal injury and commercial litigation. Bob's practice is in general civil litigation at both the trial level and through the appellate system. Most of his cases are litigation of issues involving real estate or probate matters.

Bob is married to the former Becky O'Callaghan from Austell, Georgia. Bob and Becky have lived in Cumming, Georgia for the last 28 years. They have four children of which Parker is the oldest. He is married to Nicole Elizabeth McFarland. Bryan Alexander McFarland is the second son and a University of Georgia graduate. Preston is the third son and is also a graduate of the University of Georgia and is married to Elizabeth Miller McFarland. Kara Elizabeth McFarland has just completed High School at Hebron Christian Academy and is to attend Young Harris College in North Georgia.

Bob and Becky have been members of Community Bible Church in Cumming, Georgia for over twenty‑six years. Both of them have taught Sunday School sundry times over the years. Bob has served on the Church's board from 1982 to 1995. He is a member of the Gideons and the Christian Legal Society.