A Life Interrupted, A Legacy Begun
The Betzel family
Robert Daniel Betzel Jr.’s potfolio
Bob graduated from Georgia Tech on March 21, 1987, with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He had recently studied abroad through Georgia Tech’s Architecture Paris Program, then affiliated with the École d’Architecture de Paris-La Villette. Bob was pursuing his Master of Architecture degree when he tragically passed away in a car accident on October 1, 1990. His degree was posthumously awarded on March 23, 1991.
His unexpected passing left a void—but also gave way to a powerful purpose. The Betzel family established a scholarship in Bob’s name to support students pursuing careers in design, especially architecture. It became both a memorial and a mission—fueling future designers with the same curiosity and dedication Bob brought to his work.
“He Was Always Drawing”
The Betzel family
Sketches donated to Georgia Tech Library
Lori describes her brother as thoughtful and imaginative—someone who saw the world differently, even as a child.
“Bob would lie on the floor for hours with his markers and just draw,” she recalled. “As he got older, that didn’t stop—it just became more intricate. He had a real love for cities and spaces and wanted to create places where people could live better.”
Among the items she brought back to campus were his sketchbooks from Europe, filled with watercolors, notes, and architectural studies. These are more than keepsakes—they’re snapshots of how Bob saw the world, and how he hoped to shape it.
Archiving a Legacy
The Betzel family
Robert Betzel Jr.'s portfolio from his time at Georgia Tech School of Architecture
During her visit, Lori met with staff from the Georgia Tech Library about donating Bob’s work to the archives and planning the digitization of those materials. From hand-drawn designs to personal photos and thesis models, she had carefully preserved it all for decades. Now, she and her family hope it will become part of a curated online archive—something students can visit not just to admire, but to learn from.
Archivists are currently evaluating the collection’s size and scope. The long-term vision is to make the materials publicly accessible, offering students a glimpse into Bob’s design process and the personal story behind the scholarship that bears his name.
A Scholarship Rooted in Purpose
The Betzel family
Lori Page donating her brother's work to Georgia Tech Library
As of 2025, the Robert Daniel Betzel Jr. Memorial Scholarship has supported nearly 50 Georgia Tech study abroad students who, like Bob, see design as a calling. For Lori, watching the scholarship grow over the past 35 years has brought healing and pride—but this new chapter feels different.
“Handing over his work was emotional,” she said. “It was a big deal to give it up. But it also felt like the right time—for the school, for the story, and for the students.”
She hopes future students will not only read about Bob but engage with his work—his sketches, his vision, and his desire to make meaningful places.
“Preserving his work this way means that students don’t just hear about the scholarship,” she said. “They get to know the person behind it.”