Dr. Robert A. Banzhaf completed his undergraduate degree in Industrial Arts Education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1960. In August 1963, he received the Master of Education degree, majoring in Guidance and Counseling from Miami University.

He began teaching graphic arts in September 1959 at a high school in Kettering, Ohio. He also served as the printer for the Kettering City Schools. He held this dual position until June 1966.

In August of 1966, he accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Industrial Arts Education at Appalachian State Teachers College, now Appalachian State University.

As he was beginning his teaching career at Appalachian, he also enrolled in the Industrial Arts Education Doctoral Program at North Carolina State University. Dr. Banzhaf successfully defended his dissertation, “The Technology of Graphic Arts: A Curriculum Resource Study for Industrial Arts Education” at N. C. State in 1972.

During his time as Professor and Coordinator of the Graphic Arts Program, he developed courses with an emphasis on the study of page layout and composition, process photography, bookbinding, letterpress, photo-offset lithography, and screen printing. Moreover, he introduced the internship program to students learning graphic arts.

After 31 years of teaching graphic arts at Appalachian State University, Dr. Banzhaf retired in 1997. He was granted the title of Professor Emeritus shortly following his retirement.

He established a scholarship in his name that is awarded each year to a student majoring in Graphic Communications Management.

His publications include:

• Banzhaf, R.A. (1983). Screen Process Printing. Bloomington, IL: McKnight Publishing Company.
• Banzhaf, R. A., Gruen, C. A. (1979). Graphic Design and Color.Boone, NC: The Center of Instructional Development, Appalachian State University.
• Banzhaf, R. A. (1975). Hand Bookbinding. Boone, NC: IET Printing Service, Department of Industrial Education and Technology, Appalachian State University.