Robert Guskind 1958 – 2009: Founder of Gowanus Lounge Dies

March 5, 2009

Bobguskind
Rumors have been swirling around for the last 24 hours about the whereabouts of Bob Guskind, the journalist who runs Gowanus Lounge.

I found out yesterday that his immensely popular blog, which focuses on real estate and development issues in Park Slope, Gowanus, Williamsburg and Coney Island, was non-operational.

Readers and fellow bloggers were concerned that their phone calls, emails and texts were not being returned.

This morning, Susan Fox of Park Slope Parents received an anonymous text that Bob was dead.

His death is now confirmed. A communications official at the Medical Examiners Office told me  that he died on March 4th, 2009.

This is very sad news for the Brooklyn Blog community. My condolences to his wife and loved ones.

This picture was taken by Hugh Crawford at last year's Brooklyn Blogfest. I know the year of his birth because we talked about the fact that we were both
born in 1958.

New York Shitty posted an incredible video that she and Bob made one day in Greenpoint; an interview with a fascinating woman with great stories to tell.

Filed under: Robert Guskind and Gowanus Lounge  by · 15 Comments
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15 Comments on Robert Guskind 1958 – 2009: Founder of Gowanus Lounge Dies

  1. Daniel on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 10:52 am

    2. Amazing man for running that site! Why is it down? Keep it up!

  2. Sarah Goodyear on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 10:57 am

    3. How very sad. He will be missed. His site was a connecting factor for so many people in this community.

  3. Scott Trudeau on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 11:25 am

    4. If any tech assistance is needed by friends of Bob to preserve the content from gowanuslounge.com please feel free to ping me (scott DOT trudeau AT gmail DOT com). Would be a shame for it go dark permanently.

  4. lesterhead on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 11:42 am

    5. This is terribly sad news.

  5. lorna on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:05 pm

    6. I am so sorry to hear this. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

  6. Brenda from Flatbush on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:16 pm

    7. I am so shocked and sad. To the tributes, I’ve added mine on http://www.crazystable.squarespace.com.

  7. tricia vita on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:16 pm

    8. This is terrible news. I would like to express my condolences to his family. Is there going to be a memorial service where we can pay our respects? Is there somewhere we can send contributions in his memory? Bob’s brilliant and tireless “GL Analysis” will be missed more than I can say. He cared deeply about Coney Island (my particular area of interest) and was the most astute observer of the craziness that’s going on there. His death is a great loss to the community.

  8. samuli on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:18 pm

    9. sad news, GL was one the best blogs of NYC and other things…

  9. trace on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 12:33 pm

    10. He helped me often and was a most gracious fellow. I am really upset to hear this as I considered him and a friend. You can see him in this video Toxic Brooklyn
    http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=756513512
    beginning at about the 2:30 minute mark.
    RIP Bob

  10. BRIC Community Media on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 1:15 pm

    11. We are deeply saddened about Bob’s recent passing. He was a frequent guest on Brooklyn Independent Television’s REPORTER ROUNDTABLE and contributed to the “A Walk Around The Blog” segment on our show, BROOKLYN REVIEW.
    In remembrance, we’ve posted a clip of Bob giving viewers a tour of Carroll Gardens and introducing them to Gowanus Lounge. His love and concern for our community is apparent and his presence will be greatly missed.
    http://briccommunitymedia.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/remembering-robert-guskind-founder-of-the-gowanus-lounge

  11. Derek Tutschulte on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 3:08 pm

    12. Hi, Louise. Thought you might enjoy watching this video from the show.
    http://blblog.org/content/brooklyn-blogfest

  12. mikesorgatz on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 4:53 pm

    13. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Bob was amazingly talented and dedicated, he really made a difference. What a tremendous loss.

  13. donkey.attack on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 4:58 pm

    14. I’m sad. My thoughts go out to the family. I always enjoyed reading GL.

  14. Gilly Youner on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 5:02 pm

    15. He will certainly be missed by loads of us in the neighborhood…so sad -he was so vividly there when he was around.
    here is one of the last shots I took of him in action:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/80565261@N00/2462443085/in/set-72157604870805247/

  15. Richard on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 6:00 pm

    16. I am very, very sad to hear this. Bob’s writing sparkled and he is irreplaceable.