(Enlarge) Robert Gross, who died Aug. 1 after an almost six-year battle with brain cancer, was honored through song and dance by Hammond's theater and dance students.

Bob Gross, the popular Hammond High School teacher known as "baldy," "Bobby," and "Grossy," was remembered with many tears and stories at a memorial in his honor Dec. 17.

The evening event also served as an announcement of the formation of the Robert H. Gross Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Gross, who died Aug. 1 at age 42 after an almost six-year battle with brain cancer, was honored through song and dance by Hammond's theater and dance students, whom he had assisted over the years as a technical director.

The memorial included remarks from family members, colleagues and students. Gross served as a special education teacher at Hammond since 1997.

Gross' father, Edward Gross, recalled how much time his son spent in the school's auditorium, both as a teacher and as a student at Hammond, at which time he was involved in theater.

"He always felt at home in the auditorium," Edward Gross said.

Paraeducator Christine Johnston, who worked closely with Bob Gross for more than a decade, described him as an integral part of the school and her life, and also as a tech whiz.

Students also shared fond memories. David Kaiser-Jones, Brian Nabors and Ian Brickey went so far as to shave their heads in honor of their bald teacher.

Alumni Hannah Grabenstein, Kylie Linthicum, Shannon Nabors and Julia Rocha spoke of Bob Gross as a "superhero" and highlighted his quirks, such as practicing dance moves in the back of the auditorium, and his skill at solving lighting and other technical issues.

"Resourcefulness was one of his greatest qualities," Grabenstein said. "He definitely was our Superman."

Dance department director Brooke Kuhl-McClelland and theater director Lauren Tobiason, along with Bob Gross' family, thought up the idea to create a scholarship fund in his name shortly after his death.

Lee Ann Beall-Read, an English teacher also involved in the effort, said scholarship fund planners hope to annually recognize three seniors in the areas Gross was passionate about: special education, dance and theater.

"We thought it would be nice to honor each of the areas he was involved with," Tobiason said.

More than $6,000 was collected toward the scholarship fund during the Dec. 17 event, she said, adding that other fundraisers are being planned.

For more information about the scholarship fund, e-mail emg144@comcast.net.

* The Special Education Community Advisory Committee will hold a question-and-answer session with Superintendent Sydney Cousin Jan. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Cedar Lane School, in Fulton. The meeting is intended to provide parents of students receiving special education services with an opportunity to meet with Cousin and pose questions. To submit questions in advance, e-mail annscholz@hcpss.org.

Cedar Lane School is at 11630 Scaggsville Road, in Fulton. For more information, call the Family Support and Resource Center at 410-313-7161. Snow date will be Jan. 27.

* River Hill High School will hold its Winter Jazz Concert with special guest Damon Foreman Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The school is at 12101 Route 108, in Clarksville. Call 410-313-7120 for more information.

* The Wilde Lake High School Band Department will host international jazz artist Dave Samuels, along with Alex Brown on piano and Zach Brown on bass, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.instantseats.com/events/JimRouseTheater or at the door. The event will be held at Wilde Lake's Jim Rouse Theatre, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. For more information, call 410-997-2070 or e-mail WildeLakeHighJazz@gmail.com. Snow date is Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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