SHIVERS JR., ROBERT ALLAN "BUD" (1946 ~ 2019). The following is an obituary for Bud Shivers, former Chairman of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The obituary was provided by Weed, Corley, Fish Funeral Home of Austin.
Robert Allan "Bud" Shivers, Jr. January 21, 1946 – January 8, 2019. Bud was born in San Antonio to Allan and Marialice Shary Shivers. He was a lifelong resident of Austin. Bud went to Austin public schools until the 10th grade when he went to The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. After graduating from Lawrenceville in 1964, Bud attended the University of Texas where he studied finance. In 1968 Bud enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard with the hope of becoming a helicopter pilot. While his application for officer training was pending he was injured in a diving accident in 1969 which left him a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. He didn't let that slow him down. For the next five 5 decades Bud was extremely active in business, philanthropy, and public service.
Bud served on the board of Memorial Hermann/TIRR Hospital and the TIRR Foundation for many years. TIRR, formerly known as the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation Research, was where he went for rehabilitation after his spinal cord injury. As the first former patient to serve on the board Bud was able to bring a new perspective that enhanced the quality of care for all the patients who followed.
Gov. Bill Clements appointed Bud to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission in 1988. He was reappointed to the commission as chairman, by Gov. George Bush in 1995 and served under Governors Bush and Perry until 2002. Bud was also appointed to the A&M Bonfire Commission by the Texas A& M Board of Regents.
Bud was founder and chairman of the Seton Fund from its inception in 1981 and was an emeritus director of Acension Texas at the time of his death. In addition, he served for many years as chairman of the Headliners Foundation and on the boards of Lawrenceville, St. Edward's University, The University of St. Thomas, The Austin Chamber of Commerce, The Texas Chamber of Commerce, Texans for Law Suit Reform and many other charitable and civic organizations.
In 1978 Bud married Robin Ratliff of Fort Worth. For the next 31 years they spent virtually twenty four hours a day together almost every day until Robin's death in 2009. In addition to Robin, Bud was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Shivers, Sr., and his nephew John Shivers, Jr. He is survived by his sister Cissie Ferguson, her husband Dillon Ferguson, his brother Brian Shivers, his wife Debbie Shivers, and many nieces and nephews.
Bud was very fortunate to have the love and support of his longtime caregivers and aides. His family wishes to thank his assistant Julie Reynolds, his medical aides Christopher Bentler, and Raphael Vasquez, and his driver and philosophical sounding board Thomas Wood. Bud wouldn't have lived as long or as well without you. We would also like to thank Dr. J. D. Hinze and the terrific Seton ICU staff who took such good care of Bud.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to The Seton Fund (supportseton.org), HAAM (myhaam.org), TIRR (tirrfoundation.org), or the charity of your choice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Cathedral at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2018. The officiant will be the Reverend Larry Rice, CSP.
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