Robert W. Schwanke was born on 12 December 1929. He earned his B.A. in 1952 and his M.P.H. in 1966 from the University of Minnesota. Schwanke began his public health career in 1955 with the Minnesota Department of Health. In 1961, he directed the Architectural Barriers Education Project (now known as the Courage Center). Schwanke joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota in 1966 as assistant director of the School of Public Health, later becoming assistant dean. Schwanke is best known for developing the master's curriculum for the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and developing the dual degree M.S.W. and M.P.H. program. Schwanke retired from the University in 1991.
From the guide to the Robert W. Schwanke papers, 1968-1980, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])
