Robert Marshall Gore
Sept. 18, 1950 – Sept. 17, 2020
GORE, Robert (Bob) Marshall, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2020 at the age of 69 after a brave fight with ALS. He was born on September 18, 1950, in Washington, DC.
He was preceded in death by his father Marshall Gore, his mother Nelson Gore and his sister Elizabeth Harris. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharan Gore; daughters Jennifer Gore and Caroline Gore; son-in-law Anthony Faranda; and brother-in-law, Ron Harris.
Bob lived most of his life in Richmond. He graduated from the VMI in 1972 with a Civil Engineering degree, and from VCU in 1982 with an MBA degree. He was an Honorary Member of the American Water Works Association and a member of the Water Environment Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Bob was also a longtime member of the Richmond Dog Obedience Club (RDOC) and the Richmond Area Bicycling Association (RABA).
Sharan and Bob were overwhelmed with love and support provided by family, friends, neighbors, the cycling community in and around the greater Richmond area and VMI classmates as Bob battled ALS. They would like to particularly thank the following individuals for their support: Dee Nuckols, Barbara Garazo, Dick Hilliard, Laura Ricker, Laurie Schmidt, Anthony Harika; Christina Vargas, Amelia Atwill and their colleagues with the ALS Association; Dr. Scott Vota, Dr. Kelly Gwathmey, Paula Brockenbrough and the rest of the amazing team at the VCU Clinic; and hospice nurses Catie McConnell and Vickie Kirby associated with James River Hospice. All these folks provided compassionate care to the very end.
A celebration of life service will be at 3 pm Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Affinity Funeral Service, 2720 Enterprise Pkwy, Richmond, VA 23294. Followed by a repast at The Place in Innsbrook, 4036 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060. An RSVP is required to [email protected] by Wednesday, September 1st.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bob to: the ALS Association, http://webdc.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sharan, I am so sorry about Bob’s passing. He was a good friend, colleague and coworker to me, and I find it hard to believe he has passed so soon. We shared many good and happy times, and many board meetings. He showed me the ropes as an AWWA Director and I am grateful for having known him and for everything he did for me. My condolences to you and your family.
I knew Bob as a student in classes I taught at VMI and as a State Regulator working with him in Water and Wastewater project design. Bob was a hard worker both as a student and as a Civil Engineering Consultant. I enjoyed working with him to resolve technical issues and finding the means to provide sound, practical solutions to those issues. Bob will be remembered as a credit to the engineering profession.
Bob was a wonderful guy who had a big impact on my life when he encouraged me to attend VMI. He stayed in touch throughout my time in Lexington. So warm and likable, even my roommates came to know and enjoy the alumnus who would visit our room in barracks on his visits to post during our time as cadets. Over the years, I watched Bob be a great neighbor, husband, dad, and friend. My condolences to Sharan, Jennifer, and Caroline.
Dear Sharan, Jennifer and Caroline, After reading the obituary, I can see that Bob was quite an accomplished and well thought of fellow. It was wonderful that he could get those bike miles in while he was able to enjoy that. I wish as family we could have been closer through the years. This is an exhausting and emotional time, but I know your family has many, many precious memories that can comfort you in those more peaceful thoughts. Know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Connie, Tom & family
Sharan — Tighe and I are so sorry about Bob’s ALS diagnosis and his death. He should have lived longer, but that isn’t for me to say. The last 18 months were very rough for both of you and your daughters, but at least his suffering is finally over. It’s interesting to read comments about Bob as an engineer, businessman, neighbor, mentor, inspiration in college, husband and father (also a bicyclist). I mainly knew him as my first cousin who experienced a lot in life, good and bad, but kept pushing ahead, always thought of others when they needed help, always enjoyed a good laugh. He and Sharon were regular attendees at our annual family reunions in Halifax County, Virginia, where our mothers (sisters) were born. Being his cousin, I tend to think of him as Nell and Marshall’s son and Beth’s older brother, but obviously he became much more than that. I especially remember visiting the Gore family in Long Island in the summer of 1964 when Bob was 14, Beth was 12 and I was nine. “A Hard Day’s Night” had just hit the movie theaters and the British Invasion was in full throttle. My three brothers and I spent the week in the Gores’ family basement listening to the latest records with Bob, Beth, her girlfriends and the family dog, while our parents remained upstairs and talked about boring stuff like jobs, politics and various family conflicts.
Bob and Beth had all the latest records, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dave Clark Five, Beach Boys, but Beth’s favorite seemed to be Dusty Springfield’s, “Wishin’ and Hopin’”. Bob’s favorite was “Bits and Pieces” by the Dave Clark Five; but they both loved “I Get Around” by the Beach Boys. After a few days, Marshall drove us to the movie theater at the base where we watched “Mutiny on the Bounty”. We stayed at the Gores’ house for a week, then got in our Rambler (two parents and four kids) and drove south back to our home in Central Virginia. But the first stop was the New York World’s Fair, where we spent the entire day. It was a great end to a great week.
Sadly, with Bob’s passing, I’m the only one left from that wonderful week in Long Island from the summer of 1964. Now those memories only live in my heart. Cheers Bob.
Sharan, so sorry to hear of Bob’s struggles and passing. Bob was a great person and a talented engineer who will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Sharan – my thoughts are with you and your family. I am sad to hear of Bob’s passing – and I am remembering how much I enjoyed working with him. He was a good engineer – and he was a very good man. He will be missed. Sheryl
Sharan and family I just learned about Bob’s passing and wanted to share my condolences. I had the pleasure of both working with Bob and playing golf with Bob. He was an excellent professional engineer! I did enjoy playing golf with Bob in our Monday evening engineers league. We both were pretty good coming out of the woods and the sand but didn’t get to hit those fairway shots often! Good memories for sure.
I remember many long bike rides with Bob. We had some great times, and some hard times. He supported me when I suffered a broken hip on vacation by accompanying me on the drive from New Mexico to Virginia. Great friend. I miss him.