Dr. Robert Gross

Dr. Robert Daniel Gross, 71, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at First Methodist Church of Canyon with Dr. Marc Irwin officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.

Robert was born on August 14, 1952 in Dallas to George Walter and Mary Margaret (Lovett) Gross. He was a true pillar of our community whose contributions span the realms of education, community service, and medical excellence.

Dr. Gross received his B.S. and M.S. Electrical Engineering degrees from Texas Tech in 1974 and 1976, respectively, and was employed as Systems Engineer for Fisher Controls Company for approximately two years between graduate school and medical school. He graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 1981, laying the groundwork for what would become a lifelong commitment to health and wellness in our community.

He then received his M.M.M., School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine from Tulane University in Louisiana in 1999 and received his certifications from the American Board of Preventative Medicine and the American College of Physician Executives. He obtained certificates in Addiction Medicine, certified by ASAM and Medical Management, certified by ACPE/CCMM.

Dr. Gross started as a practitioner in Amarillo and Canyon. He recruited primary care physicians and established other clinic sites, consisting of 14 primary care physicians and three clinic sites when it was acquired by BSA Health System in 1999. He served as Chief Medical Officer for the BSA Health Network from 1995 to 1999. He then served on the Board of Directors for FMC Management, Inc. and practiced private medicine and preventive medicine at FMC of Canyon since 2000. In addition, he was the City Health Officer for the City of Canyon in 1985 and the County Health Officer for Randall County from 1985 to 1995.
In his professional life, Dr. Gross has been exceedingly impactful, dedicating decades to the health of our community. His insights into the evolving landscape of health and the crucial role we all play in fostering a healthier future are more relevant today than ever.

Not only has Dr. Gross been a guiding light in our medical community, but he has also played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Canyon. From 1984 to 1989, he served with distinction on the Canyon ISD school board, where his vision and leadership were instrumental. Among his many contributions, Dr. Gross chaired the naming committee for Randall High School.

Along with his many community activities, he served on the Potter/Randall County Medical Advisory District Board, Amarillo College Advisory Committee for Paramedic Education, Canyon High School Team Physician, West Texas A&M Team Physician, and Canyon ISD Board of Trustees. He also served on the Board of Directors for the American College of Physician Executives, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Quality Improvement Board, BSAHS, Physician Advisory Committee for HMO Blue West Texas, HMO Blue West Texas Regional QI Committee, Advisor Committee for the Panhandle Trauma Region, and most recently, the American College of Preventive Medicine, and FMC Management Medical Advisor.

His foresight was also evident in the strategic decisions that helped shape our district's boundaries and resources, including the negotiation of the lease for what was once Kimbrough Stadium from West Texas A&M University. His knack for seeing beyond the present led him to initiate the Center for the Study of the American West at WT, further solidifying his reputation as a thinker and a doer who has always held great expectations for Canyon's development.

Not only was Dr. Gross dedicated to his profession, but he will also be lovingly remembered as an amazing husband, father, and family man. He married Becky Voyles on December 23, 1989 in Canyon and gained a host of family that he loved dearly. When he found time away from his career, he loved boating with his family, listening to jazz music, and the Dallas Cowboys. He was an avid reader, a published author and had several patents out of Texas Tech. He also enjoyed appearing in the movie, Beyond the Mat, with his dear friend, Terry Funk.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, George Walter and Mary Margaret Gross, daughter-in-law, Amanda Hodges, brother-in-law, Terry Hutcherson, and father-in-law, James Voyles.

Survivors include his wife, Becky Gross; five children, Heather (Brad) Gruner, Margaret (Tyler) Biggs, Chad (Tonya) Hodges, Daniel (Misty) Gross, and Brooks Hodges and fiancé, Elaine; fourteen grandchildren; several great grandchildren; brother, George B. (Debra) Gross; mother-in-law, Esta Voyles; and several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials be to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

For livestreaming the service, please go to First Methodist Church Canyon, Facebook or You Tube.