Remembering Kurt Tweraser, Professor of Political Science

Professor Emeritus of Political Science Kurt Tweraser passed away on October 1, 2023.

Professor Tweraser was born in 1930 in Viechtwang, Austria in 1930. After immigrating from Austria in 1962, Tweraser earned his Ph.D. at the American University School of International Service in 1971. During his 26-year time at the University of Arkansas, he taught courses on American politics, European politics, and international relations. He was an expert on American foreign policy and the foreign policies of German-speaking countries. He also authored a book and several papers on the experiences of Sen. J. William Fulbright. After his retirement from the university in 1992, he became a very respected historian of the city Linz in his native Austria, receiving the city’s Distinguished Scholarly Medal in 2001.

Glenn Newkirk, one of Dr. Tweraser’s former students, established in 2019 the Kurt K. Tweraser Scholarship Award to support and honor outstanding political science undergraduates who are interested in studying the politics, law and organizations in the realm of international relations. It has given many young scholars opportunities to further their education and interests in international relations.

Tweraser was an avid runner (winning the inaugural Hogeye Marathon in 1977), birder, cook, and lover of soccer and baseball. He is survived by his wife Gene; two sons, Felix and Ben; and grandchildren, Isabel, Shannon and Adam. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Circle of Life Hospice Care or the Butterfield Trail Village Health Care Center in his name.

If you would like to leave condolences or a memory of professor Tweraser, you may do so on the Beard’s Funeral Chapel site.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.