Dr. Lubomir “Lubo” Savov Popov, 73, was born December 7, 1952, and died Sunday, December 14, 2025.
Dr. Popov was a devoted brother, dedicated BGSU Falcon, premier international scholar, gifted teacher, service-oriented colleague/friend, and a style and fashion enthusiast. He will be deeply missed.
Born in Bulgaria, he was the son of Savo and Dafna Popov, both deceased, and brother of Margarita Popova. He and his sister, Margarita, were best friends. The two maintained a close relationship throughout their lives. Debra Zappitelli and Lubo were also siblings by choice. His sisters, Margarita and Debra, along with colleagues and friends, are left to cherish his memory.
Dr. Popov completed a Master of Architecture from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia, Bulgaria. He completed two doctoral degrees: a Ph.D. in Sociology from the Department of Sociocultural Issues of Living Environment, Institute of Art Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and a Ph.D. in Architecture from the Department of Architecture, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Dr. Popov was hired at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in 1999 in the Interior Design program within the College of Education and Human Development and he coordinated the program. He was known internationally as an expert in facilities programing specializing in the importance of incorporating building usage into design concepts. He was a Certified Applied Sociologist from the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (AACS) where he served on the editorial board for the Journal of Applied Social Science and on other committees. In 2016, Dr. Popov was awarded the Robert Ezra Park Award for Sociological Practice by AACS for his contributions to demonstrating how sociological practice can advance and improve society. Other honors include McGraw Hill Distinguished Scholar Award in 2014 at the Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference. Dr. Popov was one of the first twelve fellows of the Design Research Society. He served on the Board of the Institute of High Performance Planners and Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA). Dr. Popov has over 250 presentations and 50 refereed papers and theoretical pieces on methodology and logistics. His scholarship stretched the norms of traditional architecture while encompassing the sociological elements of design and building. His pioneering work merges architecture and sociology; he has been honored for his ground-breaking ideas, scholarly output and contributions. In 2020 BGSU awarded him the prestigious Professor of Research Excellence award for his significant national and international scholarship.
Dr. Popov consistently demonstrated a devotion to teaching Interior Design students. Students commented about his excellence in teaching, knowledge, and patience in explaining concepts. He earned the highest level of respect from students and was often referred to as a “walking Google” for his vast knowledge.
Devoted to BGSU, he served as coordinator for the Interior Design program, and he actively advised students and junior faculty with friendly and helpful advice. He chaired numerous committees at BGSU with detail and integrity to the highest degree. Dr. Popov was generous to all he met and was a deeply valued friend and colleague.
Dr. Popov had a great sense of humor and a strong sense of style. He loved to laugh and to make others smile. He loved good design. There was no mistaking Dr. Popov walking down the halls at BGSU. He almost always had on sunglasses, Doc Marten boots, jeans and black t-shirt with leather jacket and a welcoming smile.
The BGSU community has been greatly enriched by the man, scholar, colleague, friend and teacher. His legacy will live on at BGSU for generations to come.
Dr. Popov will be buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Wood County, Bowling Green, Ohio. A celebration of life will be held at Prout Chapel on the BGSU campus on January 8, 2026, at 2:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be given in Dr. Popov’s memory to a scholarship being established in his name c/o The BGSU Foundation Inc.136 N. Mercer Road, Bowling Green, OH 43403.
Gifts can also be made online at: Donation · Bowling Green State University · GiveCampus or (https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/48174/donations/new).
