Bernard Victor Silver

Bernard Victor Silver passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 75, surrounded by his loving family. Bernie was born on December 3, 1950, to Irving and Anne Silver in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the oldest of three siblings, followed by his brother, Michael, and his sister, Karen. All three of them attended Clark University. He later studied Clinical Psychology at Memphis State University, where he obtained his PhD. It was during an internship that he met the love of his life, Jan Levit, at the University of Florida in Gainesville. They had a month-long whirlwind romance before Jan’s internship ended. It wasn’t until he claimed to be conveniently ‘flying through Houston’ months later that she knew he didn’t forget her. The two were never apart after that. The couple next moved to New Orleans, where they painstakingly restored a rambling Victorian house. After they had their first child and only daughter, Jessica, they moved to Houston to be closer to Jan’s family, where Jessica was quickly succeeded by Joseph, Joshua, and Jacob. In Houston, Bernie spent his career at TIRR, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, where he became the Director of Psychology. He dedicated his life to helping those with brain and spinal cord injuries. He was well respected by his patients and colleagues, who spoke highly of him at every opportunity. Many of these same colleagues cared and advocated for him when he became disabled in the later years of his life. Outside of work, Bernie and Jan cultivated a close-knit group of friends, many of whom shared their love of live music. They regularly supported musicians at house concerts and local venues. Bernie indulged Jan in all of her ideas and adventures. From international travel to endless gatherings with her large family, to creating a large family of their own, he always wanted to make her happy. However, Bernie was happiest at home, and their second homes in Round Top and Galveston, especially when snuggling with his rescue dalmatian, Sophie. In Round Top, like in New Orleans, they found joy in decorating their 19th-century farmhouse with folk art and bringing life back to antique furniture. In Galveston, they loved sharing the beach with their children and grandchildren. Bernie’s children and grandchildren were the joys of his life. He was dedicated to his children and never missed a single baseball, soccer, or football game. He frequently went straight from the office to the sideline in a full suit. He was also the parent on homework duty, up until all hours with his children proofreading their papers and helping them study for tests. Papa, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, was a present and loving grandfather. He loved watching any and all sports games with Ben, doing art projects with Annie, receiving phone calls from Molly, who loved to ‘call Papa,’ and he treasured his weekly Friday afternoons with Miles. His family is especially grateful that he was able to meet his newest granddaughters, Jane and Morgan, who were born one day apart a month before he entered the hospital. Bernie is preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Anne, and his brother, Michael. He is survived and immensely loved by his wife of 45 years, Jan, his sister, Karen, his children Jessica, Joseph, Joshua, and Jacob, his son-in-law Ori, his daughter-in-law Alyssa, and his grandchildren Ben, Annie, Miles, Molly, Jane, and Morgan. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, January 2, 2026, in the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Lane, Houston, Texas 77055. A livestream of the service is available at the following link: https://venue.streamspot.com/f8d04b5b The family would like to give special thanks to Elsa Hernandez and Beatriz Tovar who loved and cared for the Silver family for over 30 years and were devoted to Bernie in his final days. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that donations are made in honor of Bernie to Lazarus House, a special gym dedicated to rehabilitation for those facing chronic illnesses and conditions (https://thelazarushouse.org/).

Bernard Victor Silver

December 3, 1950 - December 30, 2025