Donald Roy Betzsold from AUHS Class of 1943 passed away peacefully at age 88 on May 6, 2014, in Anaheim, where he was born Oct. 28, 1925. Donald lived in Anaheim most of his life except for a brief period in 1938, when he lived in Tacoma, Washington.
While at Anaheim High, Donald was a scholar-athlete, playing baseball and football. In recent years he enjoyed attending the varsity football games with his daughter Robyne Betzsold, a teacher at Anaheim High School.
He met his wife, Ruby Strange, to whom he was married for nearly 70 years, when he was serving in the U.S. Navy in WWII. She died in 2008.
Donald attended Fullerton College and later the University of Southern California, where he received his architectural degree. He worked for Frank Homolka and Associates in Long Beach, designing many Home Savings, as well as buildings at CSU Long Beach and the Belmont Plaza swimming pool for the 1984 Olympics. He also designed several private homes in Orange County.
On a community level, Donald served as president of the Anaheim Historical Society and organized their display at the 100th Anniversary of the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa.
Donald was especially proud of his 65 years in the Elks. He joined the Anaheim Elks with his father and brother. When that Elks closed, Donald moved to the Buena Park Elks Lodge 2046, the “Lodge with a Heart.” He held many positions with the Elks and served as Exalted Ruler from 1995 to 1996.
One of his most rewarding accomplishments was raising funds for Buena Park Junior High’s American Heritage Scholarship Program to send students to visit Washington, D.C. One year he traveled with them. In his last years, Donald kept active with the Elks and visited Walnut Village to help patients enjoy Bingo. He was living at Walnut Village at the time of his death.
Don Betzsold’s parents, George and Mary, were owners of Betzsold Studios, a long-time Anaheim business.
Donald is survived by his daughter, Robyne Betzsold; granddaughter, Jennifer Balsiger; and grandson, Austin Lawrence. He was interned at Anaheim Cemetery.
