Roberto William Bajandas

Roberto W. Bajandas passed away at his home peacefully on October 9, 2026, in the care of family and loved ones. Bob or Bobby, as he was known by most, was born in Louisville on May 27, 1947, to Elsa and Francisco Bajandas. As a young child he lived in Puerto Rico with his parents and siblings, until the family returned to Louisville in the late 50’s when his father accepted a position as an anesthesiologist at Jewish Hospital. Bobby attended St. Raphael Catholic School and graduated from St. Xavier high school in 1965. He subsequently earned a degree in architecture from the University of Notre Dame where members of his class, along with Professor Frank Montana, were to establish Notre Dame’s now famous Rome Studies program. Twenty years later, his oldest son Roberto was the first child of Bob’s college class both to participate in the Rome Studies program and to graduate, as his father had, with a degree in architecture from Notre Dame. Bob spent his first years after college with his young family living and working in Puerto Rico. They returned to Louisville in the mid 70’s where Bob worked for the firm Luckett & Farley before establishing his own architectural practice at his office and home in Old Louisville. There, he became deeply involved in the work of neighborhood revitalization, serving for more than 30 years as a member of the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council, advocating for the preservation of Louisville’s most historic neighborhood and for the importance of sustaining Old Louisville’s fragile urban landscape. Bob and Herb Fink were among the original “Green Warriors” helping to plant hundreds of trees to restore Central Park, later recognized as one of the crown jewels of Louisville’s Olmsted-designed park system. Bob and his son Roberto rehabilitated dozens of historic residential buildings in Old Louisville, demonstrating an unrivaled commitment to the well-being of his home neighborhood. Along with architects Leo Klarer and Bruce Duncan, Bob served continuously for nearly four decades as a board member of the Louisville Community Design Center (now the Center for Neighborhoods), advocating for smart growth urbanism and for communities that honor their past while looking to a vibrant future. From the beginning to the end of Jack Trawick’s 32-year tenure as LCDC’s executive director, Bob offered steadfast support and friendship in a partnership that became life-defining for both. Bob maintained a rich and loving connection to his Puerto Rican heritage, he will be laid to rest there with his loving parents and his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his first wife Donna Bajandas Andriga, older brother Frankie Bajandas (Marlene Bajandas), younger brother Raul Bajandas (Laura Bajandas Mooney) younger sister Marisa Whitaker Bajandas (Ron Whitaker) and niece Laura Bajandas. He is survived by two sons Roberto J. Bajandas (Patricia Bajandas) and Francisco Bajandas, two granddaughters Isabela and Sofia Bajandas, younger sisters Mayra Bajandas and Maria McConchie Bajandas (James McConchie), younger brother Ricky Bajandas (Giovana Bajandas), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 2pm - 7pm at 1605 Windsor Place, Louisville KY 40204. His funeral service will be held at St. Brigid Catholic Church, 1420 Hepburn Ave, Louisville KY 40204, on Friday, Oct. 23, at 9:30am. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to St. Brigid Catholic Church, the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council and the Center for Neighborhoods.