Robert Barthel Kvavik was born on May 5, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his B.A. in 1964 from Brooklyn College, his M.A. in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1971 from Stanford University. He joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1968 as an assistant professor in the department of political science specializing in Scandinavian government and politics. He was promoted to associate professor in 1975 and later to professor. Dr. Kvavik served as an instructor for the University's Center for Northwest European Language and Area Studies, and later as its director. In 1987, Dr. Kvavik was appointed as an assistant vice president for international education in Academic Affairs. In 1997, he was appointed as an associate vice president in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
From the guide to the Robert B. Kvavik papers, 1987-1992, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
