Robert D. "Bob" Stivers

Robert Dean Stivers

March 23, 1940 – February 17, 2026

Robert “Bob” Dean Stivers was born at home on March 23, 1940, in Ulysses, Nebraska — and from the very beginning, he did life his own way.

He passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, laughter, and flight.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert; his sisters, Doris, and Kathy; his brother-in-law, Elvin Vachal; and his nephews, Douglas Stubbs and Garret Vachal.

At four years old, Bob announced he would one day fly. It was not a childhood wish — it was a calling. Though he left high school early, his determination never left him. At age 31, with three small children at home, Bob returned to finish high school at Lincoln East so he could apply to the Nebraska State Patrol. That decision told you everything you needed to know about him: when Bob set his mind to something, he found a way.

He began his career in law enforcement as a Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy and member of the Seward Police Department before proudly serving 25 years with the Nebraska State Patrol. As part of the Air Wing, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of flying. He was instrumental in acquiring Nebraska’s first FLIR device and received multiple honors for community service and dedication. But to Bob, flying was never about recognition — it was about freedom, service, and doing what he loved.

After retiring from the Patrol in 1996, he worked as a claims agent for State Farm, but retirement never slowed him down. Bob was a self-taught, ingenious man who believed there was nothing he could not figure out. Plumbing, electricity, construction, rebuilding cars — if it needed fixing, Bob could fix it. He even restored his own Luscombe airplane, combining his craftsmanship with his love of the sky.

Yet of all his accomplishments, his greatest joy was his family.

He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of more than 63 years, Ann (née Probasco). From the moment he laid eyes on her, she was the love of his life. He made her laugh every day — even in his most trying moments — and together they built a home filled with faith, humor, resilience, and unwavering devotion. They tried to live every day by their family mission statement, which is based on Ephesians 4:2-3, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit trough the bond of peace, that hangs on their wall: “Our family mission is to give unconditional love during the difficult times and celebrate with one another during joyful times and to do both with Christ-centered energy. We further pledge to remember one another in prayer, and through our words and actions, continue to build a Christ-centered home.”

He is also survived by his children: Barb (Lance) Kaufman, Mia (Ken) Newell, Chris (Darouny Phanthavong) Stivers, and Josh (Heather Henck) Stivers; his grandchildren Connor, Delaney, Brenna, Carlie, and Colin; step-grandchildren Brittany and Kourtney; and great-grandchildren Aaiden, Phoenix, Tinsley, Dove and Ann’s siblings Lloyd & Ruth (Werner) Probasco, Virgil & Elaine (Probst) Probasco, Don & Shirley (Probasco) Nieman, Dale & Vivian (Poulist) Probasco and Peggy Probasco. Each carries forward his strength, his ingenuity, and his deep love.

Above all, Bob loved his Lord and Savior. His faith anchored him, guided him, and sustained him. He lived boldly, loved fiercely, and trusted deeply.

Bob may have taken his final flight, but his spirit lives on — in the skies he once soared, in the laughter he sparked daily, and in the family, he cherished beyond measure.

MEMORIALS IN CARE OF: Trinity Lutheran Church Fort Morgan, CO, Messiah Lutheran Church Lincoln, NE, Lincoln Lutheran High School

Risen Savior Lutheran Church Chandler, AZ, Concordia Seminary

LIVESTREAM: https://www.youtube.com/@StJohnSeward/streams

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