Robert Gross ‘66, ‘82 first picked up a French horn when he was nine years old. For seven decades, the retired educator and United States Army veteran has played music around the country, making powerful memories and building lasting community.

Wanting the same for Pacific students, Gross recently made a generous gift to start an endowment for the Pacific Athletic Band. Known alternately as the Pep Band, the group performs regularly at athletic games and signature campus events. 

The Pep Band Endowment will be doubled by the Powell Match once $50,000 is raised.

“Pacific’s band gave me a place to go and a ready-made group of friends,” Gross said. “The experience was so good for me that I want to share it. I want to pay it back.”  

Gross enlisted in the Army while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music. He was a member of the 59th Army Band (Sacramento), the 433rd Army Band (Fort Irwin) and retired after 22 years as Commander of the 91st Division Band, United States Army Reserve.

His most memorable experiences include honoring a fallen astronaut from the Space Shuttle Columbia, performing at the Pentagon, and playing a reunion concert for World War II veterans who survived the Bataan Death March. 

“Music is the international language. It brings back memories and feelings,” Gross said. “That’s why I wanted to be involved in music, because we could reach people.”

Inspired by his high school and college directors, Gross also spent 34 years as a music teacher, school principal and coordinator of instrumental music for the Lodi Unified School District. He taught during the week and toured with the Army band on weekends.

In retirement he plays in the Lodi Community Band, which he directed for six years, and is a member of Windjammers Unlimited, playing and archiving vintage circus music. He credits Pacific with catalyzing his many achievements.

“All of my ability to lead, came because Pacific gave me the opportunity to learn,” he said.

Championed by President Christopher Callahan as part of a new era for Pacific Athletics, the Pep Band—which experienced dwindling participation following the Covid-19 pandemic—is seeing a resurgence of its own. Last year, the Tigers saw 8-10 musicians at any given sporting event; this fall there are 30, with members representing a range of majors and interests. 

“The band includes future high school directors and music teachers, who will translate this experience into their careers. We also have musicians from College of the Pacific, the Eberhardt School of Business and the School of Engineering and Computer Science,” said Associate Professor of Practice Jonathan Latta ‘00, who became the band’s director in August. 

Latta, an Air Force veteran, played percussion in more than 300 performances with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West. At Pacific for 10 years, he is grateful to share his passion and expertise with his students.

“Whether they’re band members or audience members, students will see the Pep Band as a meaningful part of how this community shows pride in our institution and supports each other at a really high level,” he said.

Gifts to the Pacific Athletic Band support instrument care and maintenance and provide new music and band attire. In the longer term, Latta hopes to build a full instrument inventory, so students can participate whether or not they own an instrument.

“Gifts of any amount impact the look and style of the band. They help us keep our instruments in working order and our music relevant and contemporary,” Latta said. “We will always need support to ensure we’re using upkept instruments, looking sharp and playing good music.”

The endowment driven by Gross will sustain that support—and its life-changing impact on students—for generations to come. 

“I have absolutely nothing but thankfulness for my life and my career,” Gross said. “From the time I walked onto the Pacific campus until I retired, I loved every minute of it, and I want to share that. That’s why I want the Pep Band to be good, and why I want to support them.”  

To make a gift to the Pacific Athletic Band, click here.