January 29, 2021, 94, Goldsboro –
Dr. George Silver was born on December 5, 1926 and died on January 29, 2021.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Jane Hartman Silver of Goldsboro; and he is survived by his son, Dr. George R. Sliver of Goldsboro; his daughter, Melissa A. Silver of Richmond, VA; and his three grandchildren, Dr. George R. Silver, Jr. and family of Goldsboro; Keith L. Silver of Goldsboro; and Cara M. Camaioni and family of Goldsboro.
Dr. Silver was awarded a B.S. in Education with a focus in History and Political Science from Northwest Missouri State University; he completed a M.Ed. in Education from Rutgers University; and he, then, earned an Ed.D. from Temple University in Education, with a focus in Educational Leadership and College Administration.
Dr. Silver was a Scholar and an Educator whose professional life spanned a wide array of leadership roles and responsibilities. Early in his career, he served as a faculty member of several colleges and universities and also at the High School level. He served at three colleges as President, North Greenville University, Chesapeake College, and Ocean County College. During his entire adult life he and his beloved wife, Dr. Jane H. Silver approached each new challenge as a team. He would enter each new position as a ‘copilot’ with his wife, Jane. He would tackle and embrace the role as Chief Administrator/President and she would work beside him to fulfill his role as well as serving of Director of the Student Counseling Center. The crowning achievement of both of their careers came on The Eastern Shore of Maryland, in Wye Mills. Dr. Silver was made President of Chesapeake when there was only an empty cornfield at a location where the four surrounding counties merged. Dr. Silver in partnership with his wife, Jane, painstakingly created every aspect of the college, from individually interviewing and hiring each faculty and staff member to overseeing the development of architectural plans and designs for each building, then, following through the construction of each unit, on a regular basis. Chesapeake grew into a thriving institution serving students from all surrounding counties and beyond. Dr. Silver had a clear vision for the future of the college that, one day, a student could attend Chesapeake, complete a 2-year, 4-year, and even a graduate degree at The Master’s or Doctoral level. Today, on the Chesapeake campus, there is an Eastern Shore Higher Education Center which does, indeed, offer 4-year degrees in addition to Master’s and Doctoral programs. In a significant way his vision for the future has been achieved and continues to grow and blossom.
Dr. Silver was also a soldier at heart. For more than five decades he actively served in the military, first, in The Army Air Corps, followed by The National Guard and The Army Reserve, from which he retired as a Colonel. Just to mention a few of his roles: He was an Air Corps Crew Officer in The Army Air Corps and a Battery Commander and a State Property Officer in The National Guard. He was transferred to the Quartermaster Corps while living in Maryland and oversaw all Logistics at Fort Indian Town Gap. He was invited to attend and then, graduated from The Army War College. He served as Commandant of the Reserve Command and General Staff College in Maryland and fulfilled the role of Assistant Commandant of The U.S. Army Quartermaster School in Fort Lee, Virginia. His dedication to this second, simultaneous and parallel career was steadfast and he remained a profoundly committed patriot all of his life.
Dr. Silver personified the true meaning of an altruist. Even as early as his boyhood, he was unselfishly concerned and devoted to the welfare of others. He always strove to make the life of each person he met better and more fulfilling. Prior to an early retirement to Goldsboro, with his wife, Jane, he served others in a variety of capacities, including: member of the Board of Trustees for several years at the Southeastern Theological Seminary; officer of the Rotary Club; several leadership roles aimed at promoting collaboration amongst College and University Presidents in Maryland; Troop Committee Chairman and District Committee leader for the Boy Scouts.
Since his supposed ‘early retirement’ to Goldsboro, Dr. Silver has inhabited numerous leadership roles in a great variety of local non-profit organizations in Wayne County, including: President of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board; member of an Educational Study in Wayne County to assess the need and pave the way for the formation of Magnet Schools; fulfilled the role of Board Chair of the Goldsboro Travel and Tourism Advisory Council for eight years; deep involvement in the Agriculture Extension Agency at a local, regional, and state level and member of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Agency Council; Board Member of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce; deep involvement in the Scott Berkeley Air Force Association for many years, President and Fundraiser for the Chapter’s Scholarship Fund and the development a summer STEM program for scholastically promising young men and women at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Additionally, Dr. Silver and his wife, Jane, were very actively involved in The First Baptist Church of Goldsboro for many years. He held many offices on a variety of advisory committees; served as a Deacon; and co-founded a Sunday School Class for Young Adults, also, along with his wife, Jane, which continued to thrive over the span of many years. Dr. Silver’s driving desire and his calling to help others improve their lives, basic decency, and ongoing concern for others knew no bounds.
A private graveside service for the family was held Saturday, January 30, 2021.
If you wish to make a donation, please send it to the First Baptist Church of Goldsboro, 125 S. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530, or Chesapeake College, 100 College Circle, Wye Mills, MD 21679, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
