Bob Gallagher graduated from the George Washington University School of law in 1971. He practiced law in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and the Republic of Palau from 1971 until 2005. In 2005, Bob retired from the Washington-based Groom Law Group where he was a partner and managing partner to found West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc. He served as Riverkeeper and Executive director before becoming Chair of its Board of Directors in 2009.

In 2009, Bob co-founded the Anne Arundel Chapter of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters which he serves as Co-chair of the Steering Committee. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Scenic Rivers Land Trust and a Trustee of the Chesapeake Environmental Protection Association.

Bob lives with his wife Cate on the West River in Shady Side. He is a lifelong water-sports enthusiast and sailor. He has raced a sailboat across the Atlantic and sailed across the Pacific.