On June 20, 2010, beloved professor emeritus Robert Ricks died suddenly at his beach home on the Chesapeake Bay. He had taught at Catholic University for over four decades: graduate courses in music theory/history, conducted our superb symphony orchestra for over two decades, chaired the D.M.A. program in orchestral instruments, and at the time of his death, was completing a book on the history of orchestral instruments and various composers’ use of certain instruments to represent ideas or images in their music.

Mrs. Ricks and her two sons, Brian and David, attended a September 2010 tribute to Dr. Ricks at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music. They were so impressed and grateful for the tribute that Mrs. Ricks endowed the Robert Ricks Memorial Scholarship Fund, designed to support graduate students in orchestral instruments. Contributions from alumni and friends wishing to donate to this fund may be sent to the Departments of Music. This fund in perpetuity ensures the legacy of our friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Ricks.

To make a donation to the Robert Ricks Memorial Scholarship Fund, go to http://www.engage.catholic.edu and designate your gift to “Other." Type “Ricks Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the text box for your fund choice. We thank you for your generosity.