Robert Bohumil "Bob" Zivec was born June 9, 1933, in Bohusovice, Czechoslovakia to Bohumil and Anna Fabian Zivec, and passed away on December 2, 2025, at Library of Legacies in Slaton, Texas, where he was cared for like family. As his family, we are forever grateful for the love, laughs, and care given to Dad during the last months of his life by the amazing staff at Library of Legacies.

On April 15, 1948, Bob, along with his parents and two sisters, Eva and Hana, left their two-story brick home and printing shop in Bohusovice as well as relatives and most of their possessions because of the communist occupation of Czechoslovakia. They walked two-and-one-half hours with just the clothes they packed, in fear for their lives and being caught. With the aid of a guide, they made it across the Czechoslovakian border into the zone of Germany later known as West Germany. They stayed in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany for six months where conditions were far from pleasant. From Germany they went to another Displaced Persons camp in Italy, where Bob and his father were both able to work to earn money.

In April of 1951, J. F. Holasek of West, Texas, met Bob, his parents, his sisters and his younger brother, Peter, who was born in Italy, in New Orleans where their ship docked after a traveling from New York after a short stay at Ellis Island. Mr. Holasek had sponsored the Zivec family, which guaranteed them a place to live and employment for Bob's father.

Bob worked at the news office in West, Texas, until entering the United States Army on April 15, 1953. Bob initially had to enlist with the Army Guard due to not having citizenship status and was drafted from the guard into the U. S. Army approximately 9 months later. Bob and his friends went to the Military Entrance Processing Station where Bob learned his friends would go to Korea and he would go back to Germany due to the fact he spoke five different languages—German, Russian, Czech, Italian, and English. Bob seldom spoke of any details of his time in the army stating much of what he did was classified. Bob was granted citizenship to the United States of America approximately one month before he was released from military service in March 1955 and later attended 4-C College on the GI Bill while working nights at the West Flour Mill. Bob was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army after serving the required amount of time in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Bob was accepted to and attended the Texas Department of Public Safety Training School from December 7, 1960 – March 24, 1961 and reported to Driver License Service in Houston on March 29, 1961 where he worked until 1962, when he left the Department and came back to work for West Police Department.

On December 1, 1962, Bob married Emily Martin of Atlanta, Georgia. Bob and Emily met while he was donating blood at a Red Cross mobile blood bank. Emily was a Registered Nurse and was the one who drew his blood. They used to joke that it was love at first stab. In May of 1968, Bob and Emily had their only child, a daughter, Melissa. After marrying Emily, Bob went to work for Burlington Industries Textile Mill, where he and Emily moved to Greensboro, North Carolina for Bob's training and then to Post, Texas where he and Emily both worked for Burlington Industries. Bob worked his way up to the position of Engineer and was later transferred to the Burlington plant in Sherman, Texas, where Bob worked until the plant closed in 1985.

Bob also worked as a Reserve Deputy and later as Reserve Chief for Grayson County Sheriff's Department from 1975 – 1985 while working full time at Burlington Industries. Once Burlington closed, he became a full time Deputy for Grayson County Sheriff's Department. During his time as a Reserve Deputy, Bob was recognized as the Reserve Officer of the Year in 1985 by the Reserve Law Officer Association as well as being awarded the Silver Star for Bravery by the American Police Hall of Fame and the Silver Crusader's Cross for Valor by the Order of the Brothers of the Sword.

In 1988 Bob took the position of Chief of Police for the Howe Police Department in Howe, TX, where he worked until 1998. He returned to Grayson County Sheriff's Office until 2003, when he and Emily moved to Post, Texas to be closer to Melissa and her family. While in Post he worked for the Garza County Sheriff's Office from 2004 until 2021, when he retired.

Bob lived a life of service and loved this country and the freedoms we have, because he had grown up where they did not have those freedoms. Bob was a man of faith, honor, and integrity. He loved history and guns, even building several of his own. More than anything, Gunny loved his two grandkids, Haddie and Datch, and was so proud of them. He would tell you about everything they were doing any chance he got, and his face lit up any time he saw them.

Bob is survived by his daughter, Melissa Zivec Flanigan, of Post; granddaughter, Haddie Flanigan, of Amarillo; grandson, Datch Flanigan, of Post who is currently serving in the United Stated Marine Corps; brother, Jerry Zivec, of Dallas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Emily Martin Zivec; mother, Anna Fabian Zivec; father, Bohumil Zivec; three sisters Libuska "Libby" Zivec, Hana Marek, and Eva Sehnal; and brother, Peter Zivec.

Bob lived a life that saw the worst and best in the world, but he was always grateful for all he was blessed with. What a legacy he leaves behind.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at Frist Baptist Church of Post 402 West Main Post, TX 79356. There will be no graveside.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to:

Post-Garza County EMS

902 N. Avenue S Post, TX 79356

(806) 495-1813

or

The 100 Club of the Panhandle

7480 Golden Pond Place Amarillo, TX 79121

(806) 331-4100