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Robert Silverstein Obituary
robert silverstein "Bobby"
Bobby Silverstein, 73, died with his family by his side on Thursday, November 17, 2022. He will be remembered as a beacon of playfulness, intellect and unconditional love; an adoring partner to his wife, Lynne; a guiding light to his entire family; and a true force for human goodness, committing his life to public service and protecting the civil rights of others. He leaves our world a better place with a life well lived.
Bobby was our light — the source of unwavering loyalty, trust, support, kindness and humor. He was the best friend and true love of Lynne Silverstein, his wife of 51 years; loving father of Mark and Evan and their wives Stefani and Christie Silverstein; and an adoring grandfather of Cyrus, Chloe, Bailey and Jacob Silverstein.
Son of the late Peppy and Jerry Silverstein, Bobby is survived by his four siblings and their spouses Marilyn and Carlos Medrano, Rita and Larry Levin, Michael and Leslie Silverstein and Mindy and Avner Levy, and their loving families.
Bobby will be remembered as a courageous, tireless and visionary leader of progressive social civil rights policy; a true champion and loyal friend of all people with disabilities. He employed his well known consensus-building style while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, including as staff director and chief counsel for the Subcommittee on Disability Policy of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, chaired by Senator Tom Harkin. There, he negotiated and drafted bipartisan legislation, and was known as the "behind-the-scenes architect" of more than 20 bills enacted into law, including the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. After leaving government service, he continued his public policy work until the day he died.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland St., Falls Church, VA 22043, with reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Rodef Shalom and directed to either the Accessibility and Inclusion Fund or the Refugee Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Silverstein
Sara Rosenbaum
November 28, 2022
it was such a shock to hear about Bobby. what an incredible person he was, and such a mind. He made life a better place for so many. Sara Rosenbaum
Carol Boyee
November 23, 2022
I met Bobby in the late 1990s. I had the pleasure of collaborating with him working on many disability documents with our coordinated work for the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy & then for the U.S. Department of Defense's Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. After some especially challenging days, Bobby would call my cell phone to check on me to make sure I was OK. He was so supportive. I will miss my frien. d.
Daniel Rochmann
November 23, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Cherie Takemoto
November 23, 2022
Bobby flipped perceptions and possibilities. "Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society."
Pat Howey
November 23, 2022
I first met Bobby nearly 25 years ago. At the time, I did not realize what a legend to the disability movement he was and how lucky I was to have met him. He leaves us with a beacon to guide us along the path he chose.
Mickey Herbst
November 22, 2022
I spent a wonderful lunch with Bobby along with other disability advocates last year on a beautiful summer day. Meeting him will be something I will always treasure. We are all so grateful for the critical role he played in getting the ADA to pass 30 years ago. My daughter, and countless other Americans with disabilities, have had life changing opportunities as a result of his efforts on their behalf, that were previously denied.
Alan and Johanna Yoffie
November 22, 2022
We are so sorry for your and our loss of Robert. He was a special person that you knew the moment you met him he was loving smart and caring.
Jody and Alan Yoffie
Brett Sheats
November 22, 2022
Thank you Bobby. You were a tireless warrior and a kind mentor. The world is a better place because of all you did for so many people.
Gregg Vanderheiden
November 22, 2022
Bobby was amazing - generous with his time - and a gift to us all. He did so much for so many through his work on the hill and after. Making a list of all of his contributions -- and the contributions of others he inspired or helped make happen - would fill this book. He will be dearly missed.
Richard Gilmartin
November 21, 2022
Bobby was a world class fighter for person with disabilities. He will be missed by all those who loved him, as well as by so many people around the country who got to work with him, and by those who benefitted from his efforts to do right by people.
Chuck Goldman
November 21, 2022
Bobby was a Mensch. In the mid 1980s he offered me space in his office in exchange for my helping out. Bobby wanted to work on the Hill (where I had just been) so I pointed him towards some contacts on the House staffs. The rest, including his moving over to work for Tom Harkin in the Senate, is historic. Without Bobby, there never would have been an Americans with Disabilities Act. Bobby was my friend and I was the better for it. He was here and we are all the better for it. Rest in peace my friend.
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Jefferson Funeral Chapel - Alexandria5755 Castlewellan Dr., Alexandria, VA 22315
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