Former WWU basketball player Bob Gilda passes at 84

Played on first Viking men's hoop team to reach nationals

Robert "Bob" Gilda, who played on the first Western Washington University (then Western Washington College of Education) men's basketball team to reach a national tournament, passed away on Oct. 4, 2025, at 84 years of age.

Gilda was a four-year letter winner for the Vikings from 1959 to 1963, playing on teams that posted a combined record of 72-33 (68.6 percent). His career began as a freshman on a 19-8 squad that reached the NAIA National Tournament in March of 1960 at Kansas City, Missouri.

Twice an inspirational award winner for the Vikings, Gilda competed in the first basketball game held at Western's Sam Carver Gymnasium on Dec. 6, 1961.

In 1963, Gilda received his bachelor's degree in education from Western. He went on to a 25-year career, primarily as a mathematics teacher, with stops at Shuksan Middle School, Bellingham High School and Sehome High School. He also was an assistant principal at Sehome for three years.

A graduate of Meridian High School, Gilda led the Trojans to the Class A Northwest District Basketball Tournament as a senior in 1959. He paced the Whatcom County League in scoring (18.5 avg.) that season and was named the school's Athlete of the Year. Later he was selected to Meridian's "Team for the Ages," the five best basketball players in school history as picked by The Bellingham Herald.

Born on May 18, 1941, Gilda was a lifelong resident of Bellingham. He served the community as a volunteer firefighter, Mountain Rescue volunteer and instructor and Cub Scout Leader.

Gilda was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Karen (Kinnish), who he met at Western; his mother, Juanita (Sutton); and his older brother, Richard (Jan).

Gilda was a hardworking, generous, and thoughtful husband, father, grandfather, and educator. He is also survived by three children, Greg (Kristin), Brian (Margreet), and Laura; four grandchildren, Tim, Lucie, Thijs, and Delanie; sister, Catherine Reece; and brother, Ed (Linda).

A memorial service for Gilda will be held on Friday, Dec. 19 (11:30 a.m.) at the Westford Funeral Home (1301 Broadway) with a reception following.