Robert Guskind, Founder of Gowanus Lounge, Dies
It is with great sadness that we bring you news of the death of Bob Guskind, the veteran journalist who founded the blog The Gowanus Lounge three years ago. Swimming in the same small pond over this time, we got to know and and appreciate Bob for the passion with which he devoted himself to…
It is with great sadness that we bring you news of the death of Bob Guskind, the veteran journalist who founded the blog The Gowanus Lounge three years ago. Swimming in the same small pond over this time, we got to know and and appreciate Bob for the passion with which he devoted himself to his subjects and his gentle-bear demeanor. While holding down a day job as a blogger for Curbed, Bob worked 16 hour days for years to publish his own blog, which was unequaled in its coverage and criticism of development and local issues in Coney Island, Gowanus, and Williamsburg. We are at a loss for words. Our thoughts are with his family today. Other tributes today are on OTBKB (from which we borrowed this photo) and New York Shitty.
I am very shocked and i cant believe he is no more. may his soul rest in peace. and my prayers for the family members.
Our condolences may his soul RIP
I’m shocked and incredibly sad. A daily go-to blog and an incredible resource. This leaves a real void in the blogosphere, especially with regard to south brooklyn.
Oh man. I am going to miss Bob’s work very much. This is a real loss to the community / borough / city / region / country / world / humanity. I loved Gowanus Lounge and occasionally contributed photos. Bob’s ambition and the greatness of the site made me want to help and be a part of.
By my gauge, he was thoughtful and kind, an entrepreneur, newsman, blogger, and gentleman to be admired by all. Gowanus Lounge will likely never be replaced.
His blog was my favorite. He will be missed.
It is a sad day indeed.
Rest in Peace
Guskind was a frequent contributor to Brooklyn Independent Television. His love and concern for Brooklyn was apparent in every appearance he made on our programs and he will be greatly missed.
In remembrance, we’ve posted a segment from our show BROOKLYN REVIEW, where Bob takes the viewer on a tour of Carroll Gardens and introduces readers to Gowanus Lounge.
He will be greatly missed.
http://briccommunitymedia.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/remembering-robert-guskind-founder-of-the-gowanus-lounge/
My tribute to Bob:
http://crazystable.squarespace.com/journal/2009/3/5/brooklyn-loses-a-friend.html
My condolences to his family and friends indeed. This is truly a shock.
So people know, I’m the Jack who has contributed some photos over the past few months. And even when he had a small break a few months back I was the one who strongly came out and posted comments saying the details of his hiatus are nobody’s business but his own and he really doesn’t owe the blog community anything if he simply wants to stop. Do we know the details around this?
I was incredibly appreciative when he shared photos I posted near—and of—the sweatshop my mom worked in in Gowanus. I e-mailed him privately about them and thanking him. And he made sure I knew when any clowns would pop-up disputing my claims.
But past that I also know that recently he was incredibly upset that he re-blogged that Jewish Daily Forward piece making false claims about the non-existent Israeli product ban. I posted comments on the piece but I wrote to him directly to let him know I held no ill will towards him about that whole mess. Not his fault. But part of his response to me was “I feel like shit about that whole thing. I take no pleasure in drawing attention to a bullshit story. And it is my fault. If I hadn’t reblogged that story no one would have known about it.†I actually reassured him over and over, that it wasn’t something he should be stressed about.
I don’t want to draw larger conclusions about what happened or whether this death is natural or not but you know what? A lot of crappy local bloggers have really given Gowanus Lounge grief for no valid reason. Fucked in Park Slope, Angry New Yorker, the squatters in the Gowanus and such… The recent Jewish Daily Forward/PS Food Co-op stuff as well. I know because I e-mailed back and forth with him about this stuff.
I never met him, but I know he was a good man based on the work he did. These other folks who have trashed him and caused him stress recently? You should be beyond shamed of yourself.