Roberto Petronzio and the 'Tor Vergata' Theory Group

I present some recollections of the first years, in the 1980s and 1990s, of the Theoretical Physics Group of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata". I will focus on my interactions with Roberto, which were particularly intense when I was helping him with the key course on "Quantum and Statistical Mechanics", but also on the role that he played in shaping the very structure of the group, and of the University at large.