Thomas Hlavacek

Mr. Thomas Edward "Tom" Hlavacek passed away on June 30, 2025, in Wangen, Germany, at the age of 79. Born on January 27, 1946, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Tom lived a life defined by service, sportsmanship, and deep faith.

Tom was raised in Salina, Kansas, where he attended the Sacred Heart Catholic School system and was brought up in the Catholic tradition-a faith that remained central to his life. He went on to attend Emporia State University, where his passion for sports began to flourish. While at Emporia State, Tom initiated several intramural sports programs and was instrumental in developing their soccer program, laying the foundation for what would become a lifelong dedication to athletics and youth development.

In the late 1960s, Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War era. His military service took him to Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Riley in Kansas before he was transferred overseas to an Army base near Stuttgart, Germany. It was there that Tom began a distinguished career as a Sports Director for the Armed Forces (MWR program)-a role that would take him across the globe.

As Sports Director for various Army bases in Germany, Seoul (Korea), Vicenza (Italy), and Washington D.C., Tom played a pivotal role in organizing and promoting athletic programs for service members and their families. His work extended well beyond administrative duties; he was deeply involved in officiating games and mentoring athletes young and old. After retiring from his civilian position with the Army's Armed Forces (MWR) Sports Division, Tom continued to dedicate his time to youth sports programs on base-officiating basketball, baseball, and volleyball games with the same enthusiasm he had shown throughout his career.

Tom's love for sports was not confined to his professional life. He was an avid fan who relished attending and working at sporting events. His expertise and passion earned him volunteer roles at several Olympic Games. Notably, he served as a fight announcer at the boxing venue during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta-an honor he cherished deeply. For several years, he was also invited to officiate the annual soccer match at the Vatican between the Swiss Guards and the Army soccer team-an event that held special meaning for him as a devout Catholic. He had been invited once again to officiate this year's match and had hoped to regain his health in time to participate.

In his downtime he cherished playing golf and tennis with his friends and family. He loved being active as much as possible and was famous for saying "if you rest, you rust". His smile and his optimism were infectious. He was at home everywhere he went. Another famous saying of his was "bloom where you are planted."

Tom made his home in Opfenbach, Germany, where he lived with his beloved wife Rose Frey-Hlavacek. He embraced life abroad while remaining closely connected to his roots and faith. He regularly attended Mass at his local church in Opfenbach and found great joy in being part of that community.

Tom is lovingly remembered by his wife Rose Frey-Hlavacek and her sons Dirk Eberlein and his family Susi, Jens, Jesse and Sven Eberlein and his wife Debra (Deb); his daughter Michelle Ohlde and her family Todd and Zack; his son Michael Hlavacek and his family Nicole and Evelyn; his brothers John Hlavacek (and his family Kathleen, Susan, Kellee, Kristin) and Joseph Hlavacek (and his family Kathleen, Ben, Joanna); and his sister MaryAnn (and her family Katie Jo and Caleb), William Hlavacek (the son of his eldest brother, Robert) and his family Laura and Carson.

He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Leocadia (Lottie) Hlavacek; his eldest brother Robert (Bob) Hlavacek; Bob's wife Karen; and their sons Greg and Scott.

Tom's legacy is one of dedication-to country through military service, to community through sports leadership, and to faith through lifelong devotion. His impact will be felt by generations of athletes whose lives he touched both on and off the field.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him. A Funeral will be held on August 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Kansas Veterans Cemetery Fort Riley 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503.