Dr. Kyle Gobrogge, a senior lecturer in BU’s undergraduate neuroscience program, died in his early 40s. 

His death was announced to students Monday at the beginning of a class he was supposed to teach that day. Details regarding his cause of death have not been announced.

Gobrogge taught a number of introductory neuroscience courses and labs, along with his own course: Neurobiology of Sex and Aggression. 

There is not yet a plan for the courses Gobrogge was teaching this semester, said John Tullai, a fellow BU senior lecturer in neuroscience and biology. The University has not yet issued a statement regarding his passing.

Professors and students hold unique memories of Gobrogge, known by his students and colleagues as G or Dr. G, and they hold one common thread: his strong character and genuine love for his students.

Tullai said Gobrogge was always “out there for everyone,” whether it be his students or colleagues.

“He was just a genuine person, he really cared about everybody,” Tullai said. 

BU alum Reet Singh took two classes with Gobrogge during her time at BU and said he had a “rare gift” when teaching. 

“He made every student feel like their questions, their work, their presence, like all of that truly matters,” she said. “That’s a gift where it’s not something that you can teach. It’s something that you either have or you don’t, right? Dr. G has that gift. He has that in abundance.” 

Senior Abigail Murnane took two classes taught by Gobrogge, including a lab. Murnane recalled being worried about taking the lab because she was training a service dog. When she spoke with Gobrogge, she immediately felt comfortable.

Murnane said Gobrogge treated the situation with “complete compassion and understanding” and  spoke with custodial staff to safely clear out lab space for the dog. 

“He was a great professor, but I think he was an even better human being in terms of being able to empathize and sympathize with us and put himself in our positions,” she said. 

When it came to his students, Tullai said Gobrogge would constantly follow up with them in hopes of setting them on a good career path. 

“His teaching philosophy was to make sure that it was with every student, and it could be unique for every student, a collaboration,” he said. “What he meant by that was, ‘If you’re going to put in the effort, I’ll put in at least that much effort to meet you halfway.’ And he meant it and he did it.”

Gobrogge started his BU career alongside Tullai in 2019. The two were hired to reformulate the undergraduate neuroscience program after most of its core faculty left.

Starting in July, Gobrogge, Tullai and several other faculty members worked every day rebuilding the curriculum for September. This joint venture, Tullai said, became a “shared love.”

He said they built a strong friendship based on their similar teaching philosophies and his admiration for Gobrogge’s character. 

“We became great friends, not just because of the shared pursuit [but] because I respected him,” Tullai said. 

Tullai said his death is not just a personal loss, but a loss for the BU community and neuroscience program. 

“He was infectious, and he made the [neuroscience program] environment what we were really all striving for,” he said. “He was an integral part of that. Will we regain it? Never, not in the same way.” 

Tullai said students and faculty were fortunate to know and work with Gobrogge, as he brought out the best of the program.

“He’s a once in a lifetime individual,” he said.