Robert Bryan Gould

He graduated from Buchser High School in 1974. With his siblings, Robb was introduced to music and theater at a young age, interests he continued all his life. He was an amazing, self-taught piano player, often the life of the cast party or family holiday as he sat at the piano, taking requests, and pounding out show tunes.

With a mind for business and a drive to succeed, Robb went right to work after high school, first as a drafter for a construction company, and then starting his own drafting service that evolved into a design-build company. At the same time, Robb worked nights and weekends in the theater as a stagehand.

In the fall 1984, Robb left San Jose to join the touring production of The King and I, starring Yul Brynner, and he continued with other shows, on the road and on Broadway, including Dream Girls, Legs Diamond, and Phantom of the Opera. At this time, Robb wrote a specs reference book of theaters in the United States, published in 1990. Soon after, he left the theater and opened an IT consulting business in Manhattan. In 1995, he married Jacqi Hilliard, and they bought a home in Tarrytown, New York. Their two children, Noah and Ethan, were born in 1997 and 2000. Robb loved being a father and was involved in his sons’ activities. He was very proud of them.

After suffering two debilitating strokes, in 2015 and 2017, Robb was no longer able to work. Since then, he lived in San Jose, close to his California family. Robb passed away on March 19, 2025, from complications related to dementia and pneumonia. He is survived by his sons, Noah and Ethan; his parents, Pat, Stan and Elaine; his siblings, Bill, Sue, Sharon, and David, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Starting Arts, a local, non-profit theater education organization by clicking on the 'Donations' link below. Starting Arts provides hands-on arts experience for school-aged kids in 4 disciplines – dance, music, theatre and visual arts – taught by skilled professional artists eager to share their expert knowledge and passion.