SHIVERS, ROBIN RATLIFF (1956 ~ 2009). The following is an Austin American Statesman article published upon the death of Robin Ratliff Shivers, spouse of Robert Allen "Bud" Shivers. The article was published on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
Philanthropist Robin Shivers helped hospitals, musical community
By Andrea Ball
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Robin Shivers, an Austin philanthropist who helped bring health care to more than 1,400 uninsured musicians, died Monday night.
Shivers, who co-founded the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, died in her sleep, said her brother-in-law Dillon Ferguson. She had no known life-threatening conditions, and the cause of death is still unknown, he said. She was 53.
"She was very full of life, and it was a shock," Ferguson said.
Shivers was married to Allan "Bud" Shivers Jr., a businessman and son of former Texas Gov. Allan Shivers. Bud Shivers is in a Seton medical facility with pneumonia, said a friend, Tom Granger.
Granger said he did not know if Robin Shivers had been ill before her death.
"It'll be a loss for the community," he said. "There's no question about that. This is just another case of the good dying young."
Shivers, a music business consultant, was well-known in the city's music and health care worlds. For more than 28 years she volunteered with the Seton health care system, serving as president of the Seton Development Board and chairing one of its galas.
But she also harbored a love for Austin's music scene. Shivers ran R.R.S. Management and handled Loose Diamonds, her favorite Austin band. She was instrumental in organizing the annual KLRU fundraising concerts. In 1991, she booked an up-and-coming country singer named Garth Brooks to entertain at the Travis County Expo Center.
"She was a tireless promoter of 'Austin City Limits,' " said the show's producer, Jeff Peterson.
In 2005, Shivers blended her two loves by helping found HAAM, a nonprofit that raises money for musicians' health care.
That group provides mental, dental and primary health care for uninsured musicians. Since its inception, the nonprofit has served more than 1,400 people.
"Her life was a testament to giving back," HAAM Executive Director Carolyn Schwarz said in a written statement. "She was a visionary leader who made Austin, Texas, a better place to live. Robin made a tremendous impact on so many people's lives."
Despite her high-profile role in local nonprofits, Shivers wasn't interested in the limelight, friends say. "She was very caring and was not concerned about getting credit for it," Granger said.
On Tuesday, friends struggled to understand Shivers' sudden death.
"It's just shocking, devastating," said friend Elizabeth Christian. "She was not one of those women who put things in motion and expected other people to do the work. She rolled up her sleeves and did it all."
Arrangements are pending.
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department.
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