Robert Hunt was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1955 and lived in several places in Texas when growing up. He comes from a family of teachers closely involved in education.
He initially studied astronomy and computer science under a Clark Foundation fellowship, but finished the University of Texas, with a BA in History (honors) in 1977. He then attended Southern Methodist University and completed a Master of Theology in 1982. During this period he was also working as the assistant pastor of a United Methodist church in Austin, Texas. In 1985 he and his wife moved to Malaysia. From 1985 to 1992 he taught at the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and Inti College. He became involved in the study of Malaysian Methodist history and entered the University of Malaya as a graduate student. In 1993 he and his family moved to Singapore, where he taught at the Trinity Theological Seminary. He completed a PhD in history in 1994 at the University of Malaya. In 1997 he and his family moved to Vienna, where he was pastor of the English Speaking United Methodist Church and adjunct Professor at Webster University. Since 2004 he has been Director of Global Theological Education and Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
Dr. Hunt has a strong interest in the study and teaching of non-Christian religions, and particularly the study of Methodist missions in relationship to non-Christian religions. He has published in the fields of missiology, church history, and religious studies. He continues to participate actively in international projects related to the study of Islam, and more broadly the role of Christian theological education in dominantly non-Christian or post-modern environments.
Dr. Hunt is a keen scuba-diver, and also enjoys skiing, hiking, and rock-climbing. He plays the French horn for pleasure and with different groups whenever possible. His wife Lilian Liong Huan Wong, is a musician and teacher. They have two children, Naomi aged 25 and Elliott aged 22.