Bob Chow was a pioneer ham radio operator as a youth. He joined the Naval Reserve in the 1930 where he learned to shoot. Chow established multiple pistol shooting world records. He later coached pistol shooting to several future Olympians. He also worked as a movie extra and taught shooting to several well-known actors, including John Wayne and Roy Rogers. He also became a top musician, playing saxophone and banjo with American jazz groups in San Francisco. He and his wife owned and operated a gun shop in San Francisco until the 1960s. He personally collected rare and valuable guns.