SALISBURY, Md.- Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver is being remembered by community leaders as a tenacious and committed servant to Wicomico County.
Following a several months-long battle with liver cancer, Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver died early Sunday morning, his family announced on his Facebook page. He was 67.
In a post, the statement said Culver "passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family this morning. Well known for his spirit and tenacity, he had fought a courageous battle for several months."
"Bob had a life in him," said Mike Dunn, president & CEO of The Greater Salisbury Committee. "He had a lot of get up and go, as we all know."
Bill Chambers, president of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, called Culver one of the best county leaders he has dealt with in his time.
"He's going to be missed," said Chambers. "I know the business community will miss Bob. He was a tenacious supporter of business, especially small business."
Shortly after the news of Culver's death became known, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a post on his Facebook page, "Deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver, a lifelong Marylander who fought a tremendous battle against liver cancer. The First Lady and I ask that you join us in keeping Bob’s family and loved ones in your prayers."
In February, Culver revealed he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. At the time, he said he had been told by his doctors that the cancer covered 70% of his liver.
Culver, a Republican who was first elected county executive in November 2014, was reelected to a second term in 2017. He had a tumultuous tenure in that position, often at odds with the Wicomico County Council.
"Bob had his way of wanting to get things done", Chambers said. "He was a businessman all his life and when you enter the arena of public office, it's a different arena. I think he always struggled with that but he never gave up."
Before his stint as county executive, Culver served one term as an at-large member of the Wicomico County Council, which started in November of 2010.
One of Culver's last public appearances in the media was on June 10 in downtown Salisbury, where a marker commemorating Confederate Gen. John Henry Winder was removed from the Wicomico County Courthouse lawn. Culver ordered the removal, saying, "By doing so, I am hopeful the citizens of Wicomico County understand and reflect my belief that monuments such as this are offensive to many in the county. I hope this action is one of many steps that will help heal our community."
Dunn was in attendance that day. Commenting on Culver's decision, Dunn said, "People can talk all they want that perhaps that decision should have happened years ago but the fact of the matter is that decision was made by Bob Culver, county executive. If that's the last thing you do as an elected official, that's a pretty darn memorable thing."
Culver was raised in Wicomico County and attended Pemberton Elementary School, Wicomico Junior High School and Wicomico High School, from where he graduated in 1970. Culver continued his education at Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., where he received an associate’s degree in pre-law. Afterwards he transferred back to the area and attended Salisbury State College (now called Salisbury University) in 1972, where he pursued a degree in economics with a minor in business administration.
In 1972, Culver started his career in real estate sales and then moved on to own a construction and land development business. While at the helm of Culver Construction Company, Culver oversaw the creation of four subdivisions in the county, consisting of more than 150 homes.