Dr. Robert F. Chaloupecky (Bob/Chops)

Robert F. Chaloupecky (Bob/Chops) was born to William J. and Dorothy A. (Liebrum) Chaloupecky on April 8, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri. He passed on September 2, 2026 at the age of 86.

His nickname was “Chops” given to him by his 8th grade basketball coach. He attended Normandy High School in St. Louis County and graduated in 1959. He played high school basketball and was co-captain of the team his senior year. He was told by his high school counselor that he was not college material. He went on to college and received a B.S. degree in Physical Education and Recreation from Northwest Missouri State University in 1966. He played one year of college basketball at Northwest. He received his M.S. degree from Illinois State University in 1967 and then his Doctorate in Higher Education and Physical Education from Oklahoma State University in 1972.

Cooke County Junior College, now North Central Texas College hired Dr. Chaloupecky as a Physical Education Instructor in 1971. His duties were to teach and start an athletic program.

He also became the Men’s and Women’s Tennis coach. Over 32 seasons his teams posted a cumulative overall dual match record of 949-298-15. His winning percentage of .761 was still the highest among all active community college tennis coaches in the nation. He was inducted into the NJCAA Women’s Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame in 1997. He coached the men’s team for 13 years and the women’s team for 32 years. He produced many individual national champions, All-American and Academic All-Americans. The NCTC tennis courts are named in his honor.

Coach Chops also served as chairman of the Physical Education Department and as Athletic Director during his tenure. He helped start the women’s volleyball program and the now men’s and women’s basketball teams and golf team. His tenure was 32 years at NCTC, 1971 to 2003. He loved coaching and his teams were his family.

Chops was an avid jogger up to age 72; jogging an average of 30 miles per week. He once went 8 years without missing a day of jogging (1994-2001). He then took up bike riding; riding his indoor bike or outdoor road bike an average of 33 miles per week. He also did weight training at Bosco’s Gym three times per week. Fitness was Chop’s “passion”; he practiced what he preached. He also loved doing yard work and working around the house.

Survivors include brother William (Joe) Chaloupecky Sr. of Higginsville, Missouri, sister-in-law Debbie Henderson of Raytown, Missouri, nephew William (Little Joe) Chaloupecky Jr. of Gladstone, Missouri, great niece Willow M. Chaloupecky of Gladstone, Missouri, great nephew Ledger L. Chaloupecky of Gladstone, Missouri. Niece Carrie Markley and husband Nick of Kansas City, Missouri and great nieces Mackenzie and Maddie Markley of Kansas City, Missouri.

There will be no services or visitation for Dr. Chaloupecky. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery of Gainesville, Texas.

Memorial contributions in honor of Dr. Chaloupecky may be made to the North Central Texas College Foundation or the Robert F. (Chops) Chaloupecky Scholarship Fund.

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