Robert H. “Bob” Canizaro, FAIA, was born December 24, 1938, in Jackson and died February 23, 2026, at his home in Evanston, Ill. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Beth Chihan Canizaro, Evanston; sons, Mark Canizaro, Seattle, and Paul Canizaro (Mary Parrott), Portland; and sister, Jean Canizaro (Jim) Enochs, Madison. He was the son of the late James T. and Helene Host Canizaro.
Bob grew up in Jackson, attending St. Joseph High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in architecture with honors from the University of Notre Dame and studied at the University of Pennsylvania for post-graduate architecture studies with Louis I. Kahn.
He retired as Principal with Canizaro Cawthon Davis (CCD) in Jackson, working from the Spengler Thomas Building, a renovated 1907 mercantile building in the historic center of the city – a building that his vision and work helped create. Before CCD, he was Principal with Canizaro Trigiani Architects, a designer with James T. Canizaro Architects; Ward & Hall Associates, Springfield, Va.; and Kahn & Jacobs Architects, New York City.
His projects included courthouses, hospitals, laboratories, churches, offices, retail shops, residences, schools, and a major airport. He was honored with dozens of design awards by members of his profession for many of these works, including Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson International Airport; Hinds County Courthouse; Millsaps Buie House; Eastover Corporate Offices; and Peoples Bank Renovation.
Bob, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, honoring his contribution to Mississippi architecture.
Bob spent many years serving on boards and committees of groups he believed in, including Mississippi Habitat for Humanity, where he was a Life Board Member; Mississippi Museum of Art; Leadership Jackson; Mississippi Art Association; Jackson Arts Alliance; Friends of the Arts; Mississippi Committee for U.S. Commission on Civil Rights; Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee; Friends of Craft; The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi; Mississippi Arts Festival; and The Rotary Club of Jackson.
He enjoyed himself when surrounded by the people in his architecture firm and often spoke of them like another part of his family. His kindness and dry wit were signature characteristics of Bob, even if you just met him. He excelled as a husband, father, teacher and mentor.
The Canizaro family had a farm in Madison County, Green Pastures, where Bob spent many weekends riding horses, fishing and cooking. An avid golfer, he played regularly from high school and into his 80s. He also enjoyed spending time beekeeping, backpacking, camping, dancing, canoeing, and always seemed to fall back on golf, sketching, drawing and designing.
He loved cooking and entertained many with his Italian feasts. Combined with his laughter, humor and wit, and a little red wine, it was always a night to be remembered.
Forever dedicated to the love of his life, Beth, with whom he traveled the world, he was proud of their 63 years together. At 86 they were still walking arm and arm, laughing and joking with each other.
...and Bob sure liked a good espresso!
A Memorial Service to be livestreamed via Zoom is planned for Friday, May 29, 2026, at 2 p.m. (CST).
(Please Note - Zoom Link will be available on funeral home website after May 15th.)
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, P.O. Box 55634, Jackson, MS 39296 (habitatmca.org); Mississippi Museum of Art, 380 S. Lamar St., Jackson, MS 39201 (msmuseumart.org); or Mississippi State University School of Architecture Advancement Fund, c/o MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762 (msufoundation.com).
