Dr. Henry R. "Jim" Silverman

1927 - 2018

(News story) Dr. Henry R. "Jim" Silverman, a family practice physician who was an advocate for the ethical and sensitive care of patients, died Thursday in ProMedica Ebeid Hospice Residence, Sylvania. He was 91.

He had dementia and was in declining health recently, his son Dr. Hank Silverman said.

He and his wife, Adair Silverman, returned to Toledo nearly two years ago. They lived for about two decades in Florida, where Dr. Silverman was a volunteer for a Boynton Beach clinic and was a member of Palm Beach County's medical reserve corps.

In his Toledo practice, Dr. Silverman cared for patients of all ages. He'd delivered babies and did some surgery.

"He was very bright," his son Hank said. "He had a wealth of knowledge, but beyond that, he was extremely empathetic with people. He was a great teacher and was a great listener and was efficient and organized.

"He was a tremendous influence," said son Hank, a cardiologist. "I never wanted to do anything else. I used to go on house calls with him when I was very young."

He was a charter diplomate in 1973 of the American Board of Family Practice. At Toledo Hospital, he was chairman of the department of family medicine and a vice chief of staff. He was medical director for the hospital's review board ethics committee and, in 1981, was named to the hospital board of trustees. He also led committees of the Academy of Medicine of Toledo and Lucas County.

"He was a leader, and he would speak up in the name of patient care," his son Hank said. "People respected him because of his sense of integrity."

Dr. Silverman was 13-years-old when his mother died. Decades later he spoke to an interfaith gathering in Toledo about grief, noting that clergy- and physicians - often neglected the trauma death inflicts on those who survive, said his son Dr. Mark Silverman, a psychiatrist.

"He had something kind to say to everyone," his son Mark said. "One of his greatest strengths was his ability not to rub anyone the wrong way. He was very diplomatic."

He was born Feb. 15, 1927, in Dayton to Bertha and Henry Silverman, who was an optometrist. After his mother died, "he channeled his grief into academics," son Mark said. "He went from being an average student who was happy-go-lucky to being a very serious nearly all-A student."

He graduated from Fairview High School early and enlisted in the Navy, serving stateside from 1944-46.

He received a bachelor of science degree in optometry from Ohio State University and practiced for a time with his father. He returned to Ohio State and in 1958 received his medical degree.

A pianist steeped in classical training, he stopped taking lessons after his mother died, his son Mark said. But he continued to play, and he appreciated all types of music.

Surviving are his wife, the former Adair Zimmerman, whom he married Sept. 12, 1948; sons Dr. Henry R. Silverman III and Dr. Mark Silverman; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at The Temple-Congregation Shomer Emunim in Sylvania Township, where he was a longtime member.

The family will receive guests Monday and Tuesday evening in the Ottawa Hills home of his son and daughter-in-law Hank and Cheryl Silverman, with a memorial service at 6 p.m. each day. Arrangements are by the Robert H. Wick/?Wisniewski Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the dean's scholarship fund at the Ohio State college of medicine; ProMedica or Ebeid hospices, the Philip H. Zimmerman scholarship fund of the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association, or a charity of the donor's choice.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.