Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
David J. Gould
Nov. 3, 1931–Nov. 29, 2025
Longtime East Bay resident David J. Gould died on Saturday, Nov. 29. He was 94. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he studied business. He launched himself to the presidency of his fraternity by setting up study groups and raising the GPAs of its members. The theme of education was a throughline in his life.
He met and married Diane Greenberg of San Antonio, Texas, in 1953 when he was stationed in Laredo, Texas, as a member of the Air Force in a non-combat position. He went on to join his father’s fledgling soft goods business, which he grew into a thriving company. He had a strong sense of civic duty and volunteered with various organizations: Common Cause, under whose auspices he spoke out against the Vietnam War; KIPP, which offers a rigorous education to at-risk youth; the JCRC; the East Bay Jewish Federation; JCHS and other Jewish institutions. He was an excellent bridge player and tennis player and enjoyed the outdoors. He entered into a second career as an investment advisor at age 60, mainly to help people reach their financial goals.
At age 91 he and Diane moved to Jerusalem to be closer to his daughter, Naomi, and her family. He is buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, and daughters Miriam, Naomi and Janice. He was also the grandfather to seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Donations in his honor can be made at friendsofyadsarah.org.