Robert Lee “Bob” Gough, 91, of Gettysburg, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026.
Born on July 11, 1934, and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Bob was the son of Arthur P. Gough and Emma Ash (McDermit) Gough. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1951 and went on to Marshall College (now Marshall University), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in history.
During his time at Marshall, Bob was an active member of campus life. He belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Fraternity, and numerous other student organizations. A lifelong supporter of Marshall University, he later established the Gough Family Scholarship, which continues to be awarded annually to students in financial need.
Following college, and with no immediate job prospects, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he was placed in clerk-typist training, and was later stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland. His service also included an overseas assignment with the 549th Hospital Center in Heidelberg, West Germany. After completing his active duty tour, he continued to serve for four years in the Army Reserve.
Bob devoted his professional life to education. He began his career teaching Core Studies at Benjamin Stoddert Junior High School in Temple Hills, Maryland, before moving on to teach social studies at Suitland High School. It was there that he met fellow teacher Jane Brumbaugh, who would become his wife. The couple was married on July 21, 1962.
In 1966, Bob was appointed vice principal at Bowie High School. Then, in 1970, he was chosen as principal of Suitland High School, and later as principal of Friendly High, beginning in 1975. Starting in 1983, he served as a specialist in the Office of Evaluation and Research for the Prince George’s County Board of Education, ultimately becoming Director of Testing for the county. He retired from public education in 1993.
Deeply committed to community service, Bob was a longtime member of Rotary International. He first joined the Upper Marlboro, Maryland, chapter in 1976, where he received numerous honors, including recognition as a major donor as a Paul Harris Fellow. After relocating to Gettysburg, he became an active member of the Gettysburg Rotary Club and seldom missed a meeting for more than 20 years.
Faith was central to Bob’s life. He was an active member of Nativity Episcopal Church in Camp Springs, Maryland, where he served in many roles, including senior warden. After moving to Gettysburg, he and Jane became devoted members of Prince of Peace Episcopal Church. There, Bob served as a lector, eucharistic minister, vestry member, and senior warden.
Bob is survived by two daughters, Diana Gough and Shelley G. (Kevin) Lauffer, and three grandchildren, Carlos, Brandon, and Marisa. He was predeceased by his son, Robert Stephen Gough, who died in 1975, by his wife, Jane, who died in 2014, and his brother Arthur P. Gough, Jr. who died in 2020.
Jane is memorialized in the Prince of Peace Columbarium, where Bob will also be interred following a memorial service scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 20 West High Street, Gettysburg. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Friday, May 1, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 3005, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or to the Gough Family Scholarship, c/o Marshall University, 519 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25703.
Funeral arrangements are through the Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg. Online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.