David R Gould

David R. Gould, 75 passed away suddenly and quietly at home in his sleep on January 22, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Marie (Betsy), daughter Jennifer and son in law Joe Mele of Troy, son Mark and daughter in law Alice of Portland, OR, son Erik and daughter in law Rebecca and granddaughter Asha of Pawtucket RI., and brother John Gould of Valatie. David was born at home in Eden, NY. He attended Eden Central School K-12, Buffalo State College obtaining a Bachelor's degree. He obtained advanced degrees in history at SUNY Albany. After graduate school he worked as the Chief Exhibition Planner for the New York State Museum for 23 years. He left state employment to work for Conrail and then Amtrak, where he worked as a conductor for 10 years until his retirement in 2007. During his college years he worked for a number of railroads including the Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley and Erie-Lackawanna. During his retirement years he and Betsy enjoyed numerous trips, often travelling by rail. He was a lifelong railroad enthusiast and model railroader. He was active in numerous railroad related clubs and societies including the Railway and Locomotive Preservation society, the Center for Railroad Photography and he was a founding member of the Alco Historical and Technical Society. He was also a member of the Upstate Train Associates and the Empire and Eastern Division of the Toy Train Operating Society. He used his research skills and background in history to locate steam locomotives that were built by Alco in Schenectady. He was known as one of the foremost experts on the 19th century 4-4-0 American type steam locomotive. Dave's wife joked that if you ever blindfolded him and put him on a railroad track he'd tell you where he was, when the next train was coming and the name of the engineer. Dave will be remembered by his family and friends as an intellect with a sharp memory and a truly warm and unique sense of humor. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Alco Historical and Technical Society, PO box 1029, Schenectady NY, 12301. There will be no calling hours. A life celebration will be scheduled this summer. Arrangements are by the Bond Funeral Home Broadway and Guilderland Avenue Schenectady.