Career
He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on 14 December 1899 and resigned on 4 March 1912. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party. While in office he held the following departments:
Department of Finance (1900)
Department of Justice and Police (1901)
Department of Posts and Railways (1902)
Department of Finance (1903)
Political Department as President of the Confederation (1904)
Department of Finance (1905 - 1909)
Political Department as President of the Confederation (1910)
Department of Finance (1911)
Department of Posts and Railways (1912)
"Quai Robert-Comtesse" in Neuchâtel and "Rue Robert-Comtesse" in Cernier are named after Comtesse.