Robert Gough, of Lexington, VA., died Aug. 2, 2013. Bob Gough often said that he had done more over the past 15 years than he ever thought he would do in his entire life: with his wife Tara at his side, Bob hiked trails in Scotland, Ireland and France biked the Rallarvegen in Norway sailed above the Arctic Circle to the Lofoten Islands and traveled to China, Russia and Estonia. On Aug. 2, Bob and Tara were pursuing one of their favorite activities ûû camping in Shenandoah National Park ûû when Bob suffered a severe medical emergency and died several hours later at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg. Robert Emerson Gough, 61, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. He attended Bethel Park High School, and graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1975. He received his MBA from The Citadel. Bob lived in Columbia and Charleston, S.C., before settling in Manchester, N.H., where he worked for New Hampshire Insurance Company. He joined Mellon Bank & Global Trust Services in Boston in 1996 as a software engineer. Bob and Tara met on a hike in Ipswich, Mass., in 1998, married in Boston in 1999, and lived there until early 2000 when they moved to London. They lived and worked in London for three years, and traveled extensively in Europe during that time. A technology expert by profession, Bob’s passion was hiking, camping and, most of all, building a camp fire. In recent years, Bob developed a keen interest in trains and rail photography. He joined the Mountain State Railroad and Logging Historical Association, and enjoyed visits to the Cass Scenic Railway in Cass, W.Va., for railfan photo weekends and to participate in restoring the Climax Locomotive #1551. He was also a member of the Rockbridge Camera Club. After moving to Lexington in 2004, Bob worked for Tyler Technologies and the Virginia Military Institute before joining the Technology Team at the Rockbridge County Schools earlier this year. Tara owns and operates Farm To You, an all local food grocer located in Lexington. Bob was a kind and patient man. He cared about, and enjoyed the company of, others. He listened, and was always eager to help. Bob’s helpfulness and his loving personality were appreciated by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be missed by many. In addition to his wife, Tara, Bob is survived by his mother, Mary Esther Gough, of Pittsburgh, Pa. his brother, William R. Gough and his wife, Merrideth of Meadville, Pa. their sons, Adam and Neil Gough and his brother, Richard E. Gough of Seattle. Bob’s father, Russell Emerson Gough, died in 1972. A gathering to celebrate Bob’s full but all-too-short life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 2 to 5 at Boxerwood Nature Center in Lexington. Bob was committed to helping people, supporting environmental and conservation efforts, and encouraging the preservation of rail history. In lieu of flowers, he would be honored to have gifts in his memory made to the Rockbridge Area Health Center the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council (and/or Friends of Brushy Hills), the Climax Locomotive #1551 Restoration Project, or another organization that supports these activities. Tags: CGC 1978
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