Veteran journalist David Gow dies at 80 after long battle with heart condition. The former Germany correspondent and European business editor of the Guardian had a remarkable career spanning over four decades. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Gow joined the Scotsman newspaper as a graduate trainee in 1969 before moving to the Guardian in 1989.
During his tenure at the Guardian, Gow covered some of the most pivotal moments in Germany's post-war history, including its reunification in 1990. He was known for his versatility and reliability as a journalist, earning the respect of his colleagues. Simon Tisdall, a former foreign editor of the Guardian, described Gow as "an impressively professional journalist" who never let anyone down.
Gow was also an ardent advocate for European integration and social justice. His commitment to these causes continued even after he left the Guardian in 2012. He remained active in public life, contributing to various think tanks and publications, including Social Europe, a progressive debate platform where he served as a contributor, editor, and senior adviser.
Gow's dedication to journalism was marked by his unwavering commitment to ethics and fairness. His colleagues remember him for being zero-tolerance for nonsense and always willing to challenge the status quo. Séamus Dooley, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), praised Gow for understanding the difference between scepticism and cynicism.
A keen gardener, Gow enjoyed spending time in his French and Scottish cottages, where he would tend to his garden with great passion. His love for gardening was just one aspect of a life that was marked by curiosity, wit, and commitment to public service.
Gow's legacy will be remembered through the countless lives he touched and the articles he wrote that shaped public opinion. He is survived by his wife, Gayle; daughter Gemma; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his brother Rod.
During his tenure at the Guardian, Gow covered some of the most pivotal moments in Germany's post-war history, including its reunification in 1990. He was known for his versatility and reliability as a journalist, earning the respect of his colleagues. Simon Tisdall, a former foreign editor of the Guardian, described Gow as "an impressively professional journalist" who never let anyone down.
Gow was also an ardent advocate for European integration and social justice. His commitment to these causes continued even after he left the Guardian in 2012. He remained active in public life, contributing to various think tanks and publications, including Social Europe, a progressive debate platform where he served as a contributor, editor, and senior adviser.
Gow's dedication to journalism was marked by his unwavering commitment to ethics and fairness. His colleagues remember him for being zero-tolerance for nonsense and always willing to challenge the status quo. Séamus Dooley, assistant general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), praised Gow for understanding the difference between scepticism and cynicism.
A keen gardener, Gow enjoyed spending time in his French and Scottish cottages, where he would tend to his garden with great passion. His love for gardening was just one aspect of a life that was marked by curiosity, wit, and commitment to public service.
Gow's legacy will be remembered through the countless lives he touched and the articles he wrote that shaped public opinion. He is survived by his wife, Gayle; daughter Gemma; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his brother Rod.
I'm so sad to hear about David Gow's passing 
️. I remember reading some of his work online and thinking he was super knowledgeable on European affairs 
. I liked how he wasn't afraid to speak up on social justice issues, it shows you stood by what mattered most 
. It's a shame we won't get to see more articles from him in the future 
and public service 
. RIP David 
. As a platform critic, I've always been frustrated with the state of journalism, but guys like Gow remind us of what it means to do it right 
. His legacy is built on ethics, fairness, and a commitment to challenging the status quo - things that are more important now than ever 
. What's really disappointing, though, is how he ended up being an editor at Social Europe, a platform that's all about progressive debate... it feels like the mainstreaming of progressive values 
. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a good discussion, but sometimes I feel like we're just rehashing the same old ideas and not pushing each other hard enough to think outside the box 
. Anyway, RIP David Gow - he's got a lot of folks in his corner 
.
Anyway, back to David Gow... I always thought it was so cool how he covered some of the biggest events in Germany's history 
His passion for journalism and social justice is really inspiring 
By the way, has anyone tried that new gardening app? It claims to help you optimize your plant care routine 
anyway, i'm going to miss reading his articles 
he had this remarkable career spanning over 40 yrs covering some of the biggest moments in germany's history & advocating for european integration & fairness 
u can tell by all these people praising him that he was respected by his colleagues for being someone who wouldn't back down from a challenge 
it's gonna be sad to see him go but i guess we'll just keep spreading the ideas he worked so hard for 
Loved reading about his passion for gardening too... who knew journalists were gardeners at heart? 
David Gow must have had an amazing work life balance considering he was still gardening in his 70s! 
I guess that's what happens when you love something so much. It's lovely that he was an advocate for social justice and European integration – it's not often we see journalists taking a stand on such important issues. 
just another day to mourn the loss of a journalism legend... David Gow was one of those guys who actually knew how to do their job right - no drama, no sensationalism, just straight-up reporting that made you feel like you were getting the real deal. I mean, who needs fancy credentials when you've got conviction and dedication? 
cant say enough about this guy, he left us too soon 
David Gow was like a journalist superhero 
– covering all these massive stories in Germany's history and still going strong 
. and let's be real, who wouldn't want to spend their days tending to gardens in the French countryside 
? sounds like he had an amazing life 
is a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving journalistic integrity 
