Washington, DC—The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is sad to announce the passing of past president Robert A. Boynton, FAIA, of Richmond, Virginia. Boynton served as NCARB president from 2003-2004 and dedicated over 50 years of service to the architecture profession. 

Boynton served more than two decades on the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects, including terms both before and after his service as NCARB president. Throughout his time on the Virginia Board, Boynton served two terms as president and five terms as chair of the architect section, and he was the first person to have been appointed to the board by three different Virginia governors. 

Starting in the early 1990s, Boynton also provided vital leadership to Council endeavors, including service on the Education, Examination, Procedures and Documents, Professional Conduct, Centennial Advisory, and various Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) item writing committees. In addition to serving as an NCARB visiting team representative for the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), he chaired the Broadly Experienced Architect and International Relations committees. Most recently, he volunteered as a member of NCARB’s Workforce Readiness Work Group in 2023-2024, researching the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected for entry-level architecture positions.  

In 1998, Boynton was elected by his peers to serve on the NCARB Board of Directors as the director of Region 2—which includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia—and later as secretary, second vice president, and first vice president. During his term as president, Boynton led efforts to update content areas of the ARE, streamline the path to reciprocity among jurisdictions, and expand international practice through the Tri-National Council. 

Additionally, Boynton served on the NAAB Board of Directors from 2005-2008 and held several positions with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including president of AIA Virginia and chair of the National Ethics Council. 

In 1995, he was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows—one of the highest honors AIA can bestow upon a member—and was presented the “Professional of the Year Award” by the Virginia Association of Professions. In 2019, he was awarded the NCARB President’s Medal for Distinguished Service by then President David L. Hoffman, FAIA, NCARB, Hon. FCARM, in recognition of his service to NCARB’s mission. He was also honored by AIA Virginia with the William C. Noland Medal in 2004. A graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Boynton was a founding partner of Boynton Rothschild Rowland Architects PC. Boynton held an NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity and was licensed in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. 

NCARB sends our condolences to Boynton’s family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in his memory to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Attn: Advancement Office, 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85259, or your favorite charity.