Richard G. Silver

RICHARD G. SILVER, 88 Lakeland - Richard G. Silver, 88, of Lakeland passed away peacefully from complications of Alzheimer""s disease on November 27, 2012 at Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland. He left this life on the 66th anniversary of his marriage to Louise, who had passed away just 6 months earlier on May 26. They had spent every one of their previous 65 anniversaries together and we believe it is no coincidence that the streak didn""t end this year. Richard was born on December 1, 1923 in State Road, Delaware to Frank and Hazel Silver and was raised on a dairy farm. After graduating from high school, he enrolled as an engineering student at the University of Delaware. He left school in 1943 to enlist in the Marines, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a member of the 435th squadron of the Fourth Marine Air Wing and participated in the invasion of Guam. Following the war he returned to college where, in addition to his engineering studies, he joined Army ROTC. He served in both the Delaware and New Jersey National Guard, retiring as a Major in 1969. In 1946, he met and married Margaret Louise Bendler; they moved from Delaware to Yardley, Pennsylvania in 1961. Dick retired as Materials Manager with Transamerica Delaval in 1989; he and Louise moved to Lakeland the following year. In addition to raising two children with Louise, he was active for many years in Resurrection Lutheran Church in Yardley and Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland. He participated with his son in the Boy Scouts in the 1960s and volunteered with the Marine Corps"" ""Toys for Tots"" program in Lakeland in the 1990s. Dick was a gifted woodworker and craftsman, and could tackle any home repair or remodeling job. He was the first person his neighbors and friends called when something broke. He built several pieces of furniture and was always happy to help others with their projects. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother Royal in 1971, his beloved daughter Janice in 1988, and his sister Eva Cunningham earlier this year. He is survived by his son Gregory and daughter-in-law Dale of Milwaukie, Oregon; grandson Travis Peterson, his wife Nicole and daughter Noelle of Asheville, North Carolina; and five nephews and three nieces in Florida, Illinois and Delaware. Dick was a loving husband, father and friend. Even as his health declined in later years and the ravages of Alzheimer""s took its toll, he maintained his good humor and gentle disposition. He will be remembered by the nurses and aides who worked with him for the smiles and kisses he freely gave to all. Although his heart has stopped beating, the love it contained will never cease, and will be felt forever by all those whose lives he touched. We are grateful for the care and compassion shown by those who worked with him in his later years, especially the staff and management of Highlands Lake Center, the nurses and assistants at Cornerstone Hospice, and his wonderful friends and neighbors. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at the Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland on Monday, December 3 at 7:00pm. Friends are welcome to arrive at 6:30 to reminisce. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2590 Havendale Blvd. NW, Winter Haven, FL, 33881; Grace Lutheran Church, 745 S. Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Fl, 33801; or the Alzheimer""s Association, 1000 American Superior Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880. Service: 11/01/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801