Eugene William Betz

BETZ, Eugene William, “Gene” age 85, of Washington Twp., passed away Sunday, September 10, 2006 at Lincoln Park Manor of Kettering. Gene was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. He received his Bachelor Degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Gene worked for the firm of Schenck & Williams from 1945-1956, and in 1956 he began his own architecture firm “Eugene W. Betz Architects Inc.,” retiring after 42 years in 1998. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects, Architects Society of OH, Dayton Chapter of the A.I.A., American Hospital Association, American Association of Hospital Planning, the National A.I.A., Committee of Architects for Health and other related architectural organizations. Gene authored numerous articles for the Journal of the American Hospital Association on Hospital Planning. Architecture was his love. He was most recognized for his progressive design of the Kettering Government Center, the 1970 futuristic design has been an architectural icon in the Dayton community. It also has survived the test of time winning the “Ohio A.I.A. 25 Year Building Honor Award” in 1995. His first love was hospital architecture. He preformed design commissions at 28 different hospitals with the more notable being Miami Valley Hospital (for 35 years), Good Samaritan Hospital, Grandview Hospital, Southview Hospital and Clinton Memorial Hospital. His firm also designed award winning schools for Dayton, Centerville, Kettering and Yellow Springs School Districts. Gene won many local, state and national awards for his creative and progressive designs. He was a member of the Kettering Rotary, Masonic Lodge, F&AM and Scottish Rite, and chairman of the Kettering Planning Commission for 5 years retiring in 1961. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Marjorie Betz (Frank); 2 sons, Douglas (Elizabeth) Betz of Bellbrook and their children, Emily, Erin and Scott and Gregory Betz of Kettering. Memorial services will be held Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 11:00 AM at Christ United Methodist Church, 3440 Shroyer Rd., Kettering, with Rev. Barry DeShetler officiating. Private burial in David’s Cemetery. Family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5-8:00 PM at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. In memory of Eugene, contributions may be made to the Eugene W. Betz Scholarship Fund, c/o University of Cincinnati Foundation, P.O. Box 19970, Cincinnati, OH 45219-0970. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Hospice of Dayton staff for their care and compassion. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429