UT Saddened by Death of Student in Hit-and-Run
Update: A memorial college fund for Mark Gobble’s children, Trent and Shanna, has been established by the Texas School for the Deaf. Find out how to contribute on the school’s homepage.
When a truck swerved across multiple lanes on Slaughter Lane and jumped a curb early Sunday morning, 37-year-old Mark Gobble didn’t have the chance to move out of its way. Gobble was deaf—he didn’t hear the truck swerving off the road.
The UT PhD candidate was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge, where he later died of his injuries, just one day shy of his 38th birthday. Gobble leaves behind a wife, two kids, and a remarkable legacy in the deaf community. The truck was found crashed a few blocks away, and Austin police say they have identified the driver but have yet to make an arrest.
Before he began studying educational psychology on the Forty Acres, Gobble worked at the Texas School for the Deaf as a history professor and associate principal of its high school. He also played a key role in the creation of TEDxIslay, a convention that brings innovative movers and shakers together to help the deaf community advance.
Gobble was recently hired as a faculty member at Boston University. He also ran a successful skateboard business, Mark Skateboards, that specializes in limited edition skateboard decks.
According to KXAN, Gobble was featured in a 2007 documentary called “Team Everest: A Himalyan Journey” as he and a group of disabled hikers climbed Mount Everest. In the film, he advised his viewers: “Go out. See the world. Do what you want to do.”
At UT, Mark served on a team of graduate research assistants under assistant professor Stephanie Cawthon, studying issues of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
“Some phrases that come to mind about him from our team here at UT: incredible communicator, bright, articulate, wealth of information, and passionate about what he did,” Cawthon says. “Personally, he had a wonderful sense of friendship, huge hugs, and was a true friend.”
His memorial service will be held this Thursday at 1 p.m. at Mercury Hall in Austin.
Gobble is the second UT student to be killed in a month. Sophomore Erick Whitaker passed away shortly after being shot on May 27.
From left: Leslie, Trent, Mark, and Shanna Gobble. Photo courtesy KEYE TV.
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8 Comments
“Gobble was deaf—he didn’t hear the truck coming.”???
He was not killed because he did “not” hear the truck coming. That person drove the truck off its road and ON the sidewalk – deaf or not – Gobble was at wrong place at wrong time. It is not like if he was able to hear, he’d get out of the way. As if his ears will save him, it won’t.
Stop claiming that he was dead because he “didn’t” hear the truck coming. It is as if it was his fault for not hearing – the truth is: Hearing or not, no one would be able to avoid this when this damned truck got on the sidewalk.
R-
Wow, ridor9th.
Chip on your shoulder? I don’t think the author meant anything negative by saying he didn’t hear it coming. There were probably horns honking as the truck crossed several lanes. There may have been the sounds of screeching brakes as well that would have warned a hearing jogger who may or may not have been able to get out of the way. How you could think ANYONE is blaming the jogger for his death because he was deaf is beyond me. Don’t make this into a deaf issue. It is tragic and a result most likely of a driver under the influence. That’s where the focus should be.
RIDOR9th, You are an idiot! You do not know about the deaf culture. You disrespect to deaf community!!!!
Larry, are you that retarded? I am Deaf, I came from a long line of Deaf families. My Mom went to NCSD with Mark Gobble’s father. Even better, I knew Mark at Gallaudet for many years.
So who’s an idiot as of now, Larry?
R-
Poor Gobble. He is also a tiger born 1962…This time, feel bad for this deaf tiger who was jogging…We’ll always remember Gobble.
larry- ridor is deaf so your agruenent is POINTLESS!!!!
Has a fund been set up to help the family? Gobble was an outstanding Longhorn and his family deserves our support.
Melissa,
A memorial college fund for Gobble’s children, Trent and Shanna, has been set up by the Texas School for the Deaf.
More info can be found on the school’s homepage: http://www.tsd.state.tx.us/