Robert S. Rizley is the most senior member of the trustees of the Sarkeys Foundation. His studies at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Michigan law school were both interrupted by service as a Marine Corps officer, first in World War II and then the Korean War. Judge Rizley came to Tulsa to work for Skelly Oil in 1953 and two years later was appointed United States District Attorney for the Northern district. He started a private law practice in 1961 and was appointed United States Magistrate for the Northern district of Oklahoma in 1977.

His interests include music and tennis. He is a former president of the Tulsa Tennis Club and former president of Tulsa Opera, where he continues to serve as a member of the Emeritus Board of Directors.