Paul A. Silver

On May 13, 2024, Paul Alan Silver passed away after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife and loving partner of 55 years, Faith, son Mark (Melissa), two grandchildren, Gabriel and Sarah, brother Edward (Laurie), his sister-in-law (Roberta), two nephews David (Deborah) and Michael (Sharon), three nieces, Valerie (Sean), Dena (Rich), and Brenda (Robert),  eleven grand nieces and grand nephews- Davia (Eric), Hannah, Kayla, Brianna, Teddy, Halli, Maya, Daniel, Damien, Evan, and Ian and two great grand nieces/nephews Elijah and McKenna.

Mr. Silver was born on April 20, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA to Harry and Ruth Silver. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1964 and matriculated to Temple University where he received a B.A. in chemistry in 1967. During his summers he worked for the U.S. Army at the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia as a research chemist studying the chemistry of compounds with potential medicinal and military value. He did his post-graduate work at the University of Delaware where he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1973. His thesis was on the thermal decomposition mechanisms of chloroethers. Mr. Silver’s first job after graduation was as a Visiting Lecturer in general and organic chemistry at the Community College of Philadelphia.

In 1974 Mr. Silver joined Hercules, Inc. in the Aerospace Division’s Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center W.Va. developing solid rocket propellants for the military. In 1982 he transferred to the Hercules Research Center in Wilmington, DE where he was involved in a variety of projects including the Metton Reaction Injection Molding System. He received patents for developing flame retarded and pigmented formulations. In 1992 Mr. Silver left Hercules to join Dentsply International at the L.D. Caulk Division in Milford, DE. At Caulk he did research and development of chair side dental materials. He received patents for both novel dental composites and improved light activated curing systems. He was the principal developer of the then new Esthet-X dental composite.

In 1998 Mr. Silver retired from Dentsply and in 1999 resumed a part-time career in teaching at The Salem County Community College as a Visiting Lecturer in general and organic chemistry. In 2000 he began a long relationship with the University of Delaware and Widener University lecturing and teaching labs in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry until recent failing health forced him to give up his teaching duties. In addition, Mr. Silver also taught courses at Delaware State University, Rowan University, Delaware Technical and Community College, and Wilmington Charter High School for Math and Science. It was the latter years working with young people that gave him the most joy and sense of fulfillment. He always tried to instill in his students a sense of curiosity and joy of learning. To this end he always wrote in the introduction of each final exam the following:

            You know you are having a good day if two things happen. The first is you learn something new. That entitles you to the second – chocolate. I hope you get to enjoy lots of chocolate. - PAS 

Relatives and friends are invited to services, Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 12:30 p.m. at Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 E. Street Road, Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, 19053.  Chapel services may be viewed live at https://www.levinefuneral.com/trevose-webcam.html.  Interment will follow at Shalom Memorial Park, 3573 Pine Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul's memory may be made to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, 333 E.Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA 19096 (https://www.alexslemonade.org/).