Robert Treuer

Robert Treuer (January 31, 1926-January 8, 2016) was born in Vienna, Austria in 1926. In 1938, he fled the Nazis because it was dangerous to be a Jew in Austria at that time. He spent time in a refugee camp before being reunited with his family and immigrating to New York. In 1944, Treuer enlisted in the United States Army and was taught Japanese and sent to the Pacific Theater. After the war, Treuer moved around the Midwest with his family, becoming involved in the Civil Rights movement and working as a Native American Tribal manager and organizer. Later Treuer worked for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in Washington D.C.

Treuer published numerous short stories, newspaper columns, articles, book reviews, and books. He was a columnist for The Bemidji Pioneer and The Star Tribute. His short stories have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, the Yankee, The Eagle, and other periodicals. More than six hundred of his newspaper columns, as well as book reviews and articles, have appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun, the Milwaukee Journal, the Washingtonian, and numerous other publications. His books include A Northwoods Window, The Tree Farm, and Voyageur Country: A Park in the Wilderness. Two of Treuer’s sons, Anton and David, have followed in their father’s footsteps, becoming publisher authors.

More information on Robert Treuer from the Minnesota Historical Society.