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
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 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 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.