Robert M. Darvas, professor of architecture in the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, retired from active faculty status on May 31, 1996. Professor Darvas was born, raised, and educated in Budapest, Hungary. He received his Dipl.Eng. degree in civil engineering from the Technical University of Budapest in 1952 and served as assistant professor of applied mechanics there from 1952-56. He worked as a structural design engineer in Budapest, London, and Chicago from 1956-61. He joined the University of Michigan in 1961 as associate professor of architecture and was promoted to professor in 1966.

As a faculty member, Professor Darvas taught graduate level courses in structural design and received the Sol King Award for Excellent Teaching in 1970. He also served as chair of the Architecture Program from 1983-86, and was a member of many program, college, and University committees. Professor Darvas also founded Robert Darvas Associates, P.C., serving as president from 1961-83 and chair of the board from 1983-present. Professor Darvas has been honored with awards from the Hungarian National Academy of Sciences, the Michigan and American Consulting Engineers Councils, the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Michigan House of Representatives, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He was also the structural designer of several dozen award-winning buildings. A partial list of these includes the General Motors Institute Campus Center and Residence Halls in Flint; Center for Creative Studies, Detroit; University of Michigan Law School Addition and Ophthalmology Research Center, Ann Arbor; Life Sciences Building, Detroit; Industrial Technology Institute, Ann Arbor; IMAX Theatre, U.S. Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio; State of Michigan Museum, Library, and Archives and State of Michigan Capitol Building Restoration, Lansing. His current projects include the University of Michigan School of Social Work and North Campus Bell Tower; the Museum of African American History in Detroit; and the General Motors Delphi Division World Headquarters in Troy.

Through his teaching and his practice, Professor Darvas has clearly had an impact on the structural design of buildings throughout the United States. The Regents now salute this faculty member by naming Robert M. Darvas professor emeritus of architecture.