Robert Gongora

On October 22, 2025, our beloved Robert Gongora began his journey into the rock-n-roll cosmos to hang out with all the legends, family, and friends he treasured. He'll be eating BBQ and carne asada, drinking sweet tea, Lone Star, and Anchor Steam. He'll be napping under the redwoods surrounded by bears, foxes, and birds. Most of all, he's resting easy, free of his earthly body.
Robert lived boldly and authentically. For 13+ months, he faced brain cancer with courage and humor, never letting it dim his spirit. Even as his treatments made it harder to connect socially, he kept up with his interests in comics, history, and music.
As DJ Naked Rob, he was a #1 fan and promoter of underground music and art. From San Antonio to San Francisco, he showed up, spread the word, and gave every band his full attention. On his long-running show Terrible Tuesdays at Radio Valencia, he filled the airwaves with Mandatory Melvins and everything heavy, loud, weird, and worth hearing.
Robert was also into road trips, photography, and nature. He adventured with Deanna, his love of 11 years, exploring national and state parks, landmarks, and small towns, with a recent trip following Route 66 from New Mexico to California. He traded his radio show for volunteering at the Maritime National Park Service, helping visitors learn about San Francisco.
Friends and family will always remember his generous heart and readiness to laugh. He had a gift for making people feel welcome and turning them onto something new, whether on the air, at a show, or at a national park. He was truly one of a kind.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna; his family in San Antonio, including mother Mary and siblings Carol Gongora and Hector Gongora; and the vast community of friends, musicians, and listeners whose lives he touched. He is preceded in death by his treasured grandmother, Maria Esther Garza, who raised him as her son.
Local services will be held November 8th at Cypress Lawn in Colma, with a viewing 12:30-2:30 pm and reception 3-5 pm, followed by a celebration at the Gold Cane in San Francisco, 6-9 pm.