Pavlak, Sr., Robert Leo "Bob"
House 1967-72 (District 43A); House 1973-74 (District 67A); House 1979 (District 67A)
Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Counties Served:
Dakota, Ramsey
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
7/18/1924
Birth Place:
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Birth County:
Ramsey
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
10/9/1994
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Bob
City of Residence (when first elected):
Saint Paul
Occupation (when first elected):
Police Sergeant, St. Paul Police Department
EDUCATION
Crosier Preparatory Seminary, Onamia; Secondary;
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Military:
United States Marine Corps;
1942 to 1945
Municipal Government:
St. Paul, Minnesota (Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant);
1947 to 07/31/1981
U.S. Executive Branch:
United States Marshals Service, District of Minnesota (United States Marshal);
12/14/1981 to 08/1990
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Edel Ruth (married in 1951)
Children:
Six children: Christine (she was killed in a car accident in 1978), Catherine, Mary, and Susan (daughters); Robert "Bob" L. Jr., and David (sons)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Raymond L. Pavlak
- Cousin
GENERAL NOTES
He was raised in Catholic orphanages in Milaca, Minnesota, after his parents died.
He was a member of the Republican Party. "Pavlak, a Republican, served in the Minnesota House from 1966 to 1974." (Obituary, Star Tribune, October 11, 1994)
He ran unsuccessfully for the St. Paul City Council in 1962 and 1964.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1974 election.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1979 special election for the seat he lost due to a contested election.
He was involved in a contested election after he defeated Arnold Kempe in the 1978 election. The House voted to unseat Robert L. Pavlak on May 18, 1979 due to charges of unfair campaign practices. He was unseated by a 67-66 vote. The seat was declared vacant. Pavlak ran unsuccessfully in the special election. Frank J. Rodriguez, Sr. won the special election.
His father, Leo, was a police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1933 by the Barker-Karpis (Ma Barker's) gang in South St. Paul, Minnesota. His mother died of cancer a year later.
He was guardian for two nephews.
He died from cancer of the esophagus at home in West St. Paul, Minnesota. His funeral was held at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.
He was a member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Religion provided by his obituary.
Body: House
District: 67A
Elected: 11/7/1978
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 5/18/1979
(unfinished term)
Counties Represented:
Dakota, Ramsey
Occupation: Police Lieutenant, St. Paul Police Department
Party:
Independent Republican
Committees:
-
Criminal Justice (Chair)
[He was Chair in 1979 only.]
-
Criminal Justice: Juvenile, Criminal Law and Procedures
-
Financial Institutions and Insurance
-
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Insurance
-
Governmental Operations
-
Governmental Operations: Personnel
Reason for unfinished term:
Other - See Notes
Session Notes:
Robert L. Pavlak was involved in a contested election after he defeated Arnold Kempe in the 1978 election. The House voted to unseat Robert L. Pavlak on May 18, 1979 due to charges of unfair campaign practices. He was unseated by a 67-66 vote. The seat was declared vacant. Pavlak ran unsuccessfully in the special election. Frank J. Rodriguez, Sr. won the special election.
Body: House
District: 67A
Elected: 11/7/1972
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/2/1973 to 1/6/1975
Counties Represented:
Dakota, Ramsey
Occupation: Police Lieutenant, St. Paul Police Department
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Party Notes: "Pavlak, a Republican, served in the Minnesota House from 1966 to 1974." (Obituary, Star Tribune, October 11, 1994)
Committees:
-
Commerce and Economic Development
-
Crime Prevention and Corrections
-
Financial Institutions and Insurance
-
Judiciary
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election
Body: House
District: 43A
Elected: 11/3/1970
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/5/1971 to 1/1/1973
Counties Represented:
Ramsey
Occupation: Police Sergeant, St. Paul Police Department
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Party Notes: "Pavlak, a Republican, served in the Minnesota House from 1966 to 1974." (Obituary, Star Tribune, October 11, 1994)
Committees:
-
Crime Prevention
-
Financial Institutions
-
Judiciary
-
Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
-
Reapportionment and Elections
-
Regulated Industries
Body: House
District: 43A
Elected: 11/5/1968
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/7/1969 to 1/4/1971
Counties Represented:
Ramsey
Occupation: Police Sergeant, St. Paul Police Department
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Party Notes: "Pavlak, a Republican, served in the Minnesota House from 1966 to 1974." (Obituary, Star Tribune, October 11, 1994)
Committees:
-
Cities of the First Class
-
Commerce and Economic Development
-
Crime Prevention
-
Elections and Reapportionment
-
Land and Water Resources
-
Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
Body: House
District: 43A
Elected: 11/8/1966
Residence: Saint Paul
Term of Office: 1/3/1967 to 1/6/1969
Counties Represented:
Ramsey
Occupation: Police Sergeant, St. Paul Police Department
Party:
Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Party Notes: "Pavlak, a Republican, served in the Minnesota House from 1966 to 1974." (Obituary, Star Tribune, October 11, 1994)
Committees:
-
Cities of the First Class
-
Commerce and Business Development
-
Elections and Reapportionment
-
Law Enforcement and Liquor Control
-
Metropolitan and Urban Affairs
Articles & Books About
Chanen, David. "Robert Pavlak, 70, Dies; U.S. Marshal and St. Paul Officer (Obituary)." Star Tribune, October 11, 1994.
Chin, Richard. "R. Pavlak, Retired Marshal and Ex-Legislator, Dies at 70 (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 11, 1994.
"Another Family Left Fatherless." St. Paul Pioneer Press, September 5, 1994.
West, Tom. "Searle's Book Reveals Insider Politics." Waseca Weekly, October 11, 1990.
"Comparison #4: Fitness to Serve." Star Tribune, April 15, 1982.
"Pavlak Sworn in as U.S. Marshal." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 15, 1981.
George, Jim. "U.S. Marshal Lane Quits; I-R Recommends Pavlak." St. Paul Dispatch, April 2, 1981, p. 1C, 2C.
Scheibel, et al. v. Pavlak, Contested Election. Minnesota Journal of the House, May 14, 15, 16, 18, and 21, 1979, p. 2246-2248, 2345-2356, 2449-2450, 2501-2502, 2574-2580, 2667-2668, 3606-3610, 3616-3617.
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.