Dr. Stevan Richard “Rick” Zivic

November 13, 1950 to January 29, 2024

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Stevan Richard “Rick” Ε½iviΔ‡ announces his passing after a brief illness, on January 29th, 2024, in his 74th year. 

Rick was granted a peaceful death, painless and blameless; he passed quietly in the arms of his beloved wife while listening to Liturgical recording of his dear “Kosovo” choir.

Rick is survived by his wife Mary, son Aleks (Meaghan), daughter Marina, brother Gordon (Pam), brother Jeff, sister Sharon (Mark), stepson Gregory (Suzanna), stepson Marko (Diane), stepdaughter Julia (Antonio) and grandchildren, Aurelio, Felix, and Theia. Rick was born in Akron to (†) Steve Zivick and (†) Marie (nee Stepanov). Rick will be loved and missed by his nieces and nephews Eric (Elise), Merrily (Jeremy), Ryan, Scott (Courtney), Paul (Katrina), Kerri (Kyle), Caitlin, and Jim. Rick was loved by his great nieces and great nephews, cousins, extended family, and Kumovi.

Rick graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1968 and University of Akron in the class of 1972. After graduating from the Ohio State School of Dentistry in September of 1975, Rick practiced Dentistry for 43 years and was loved and known by his patients for his gentle dentistry. He moved to Florida in 2018 for a well deserved retirement. Rick’s gentle demeanor, wide smile and open heart, will continue to be felt with fondness by his children who were the joy of his life, family, numerous Kumovi and friends.

Rick was devoted to his service to the Serbian Orthodox Church. Rick directed many church choirs for liturgies, vespers, memorial services and much more throughout the United States, Canada, and Serbia. Rick’s service is a variable “Who’s Who of Choral Singers and Directors”. He was active in forming, singing, and directing choirs in Milwaukee, Akron, Cleveland, and Columbus. He has also been administrator of the S.S.F. Choral Workshop for decades and composed and arranged countless numbers of choral selections for male chorus.

Rick promoted Serbian culture and heritage through the music of the Serbian Men’s Choir, “Kosovo”. As the founding Director of “Kosovo” he was the driving force for starting the choir, in the basement of his home in 1994. They took the name “Kosovo” to honor the memory of the  southern Serbian region, the cradle of Serbian Orthodoxy and culture since before the battle of Kosovo, June 15 (28th), 1389.

His Grace Bishop Irinej presented Rick with the Order of the Holy Despot Stefan Lazarevic, issued at the Bishop’s recommendation by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Rick has been recognized with three Hierarchical Gramatas from His Grace Bishop Christopher, from His Grace Bishop Mitrophan and from His Grace Bishop Irinej.

Rick spent the past six years with his wife Maria on sunny Florida, where in the church of St. Sava in St. Petersburg sang in the church choir. This wonderful gentleman will be fondly remembered by all the parishioners of the Church of St. Sava for his love for the Church, as well as his kindness to everyone, especially to the children. The funeral for our dear Rick will be in Cleveland, details are attached.

A Prayer will be held for the blessed soul of Rick in the church of St. Sava on Sunday, February 4, 2024, after St. Liturgy at 11:30 am. May the Lord rest the soul of dear Rick in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Memory Eternal. Amen!

SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 AT 11 AM AT ST. SAVA SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL, 6306 Broadview Road, Parma, 44134.  V. Rev. Dragoslav Kosic officiating.

Interment Monastery Marcha Serbian Orthodox Cemetery, Richfield, Ohio.

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE DONALD A FAULHABER FUNERAL HOME, 7915 Broadview Road (at Sprague) on Wednesday from 4-8 pm.  Pomen service Wednesday 7:30 pm.