Gerald Silver

Gerald A. Silver was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1936, and moved to Hollywood, California, at a young age. Raised by a single mother who was a Russian immigrant, Silver developed an early interest in printing. As a teenager, he opened a print shop on Santa Monica Boulevard near Los Angeles City College, where he later began teaching graphic arts.{{cite news |last=Love |first=Marianne |date=21 June 2021 |title=Valley activist Gerald Silver, 88, dies - Encino resident took on City Hall and developers over quality-of-life issues |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2021/06/19/obituary-dr-gerald-jerry-silver-aimed-to-protect-quality-of-life-in-valley/ |work=Daily News of Los Angeles |location=Los Angeles, CA |access-date=December 17, 2024}}

In the 1960s, Silver transitioned into data processing as the field emerged, teaching courses on the subject and eventually co-authoring some of the earliest textbooks in the discipline. In the early 1970s, alongside his first wife, Joan, he wrote and published foundational college textbooks on data processing and computer programming.{{cite book |last1=Silver |first1=Gerald A. |last2=Silver |first2=Joan B. |date=1971 |title=Simplified FORTRAN IV Programming |location=New York |publisher=Harcourt Brace Jovanovich |isbn=9780155810402}}{{cite book |last1=Silver |first1=Gerald A. |last2=Silver |first2=Joan B. |date=1975 |title=Introduction to Programming: Programming Logic and Flowcharting |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=9780070574458}}{{cite book |last1=Silver |first1=Gerald A. |last2=Silver |first2=Joan B. |date=1976 |title=Introduction to Systems Analysis |location=Englewood Cliffs |publisher=Prentice-Hall, Inc. |isbn=}}{{cite journal |date=1976 |title=The Book Shelf |journal=Journal of Education for Business |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=40– |doi=10.1080/08832323.1976.10118182}} After his divorce in the mid-1970s, Silver married Myrna, who became his writing partner.{{cite news |author=Silver, Gerald A., and Silver, Myrna L. |date=1995-07-23 |title=Let's Not Fly in the Face of Reality: The Van Nuys Airport Master Plan can be a Model of Good Government; Or it can Degrade the Area |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/293087794/ |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Silver, Gerald A., Myrna L. Silver |date=1993-09-26 |title=Panic Attack: A Citizens Panel Has Developed a Visionary Development Plan for Ventura Boulevard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282031538/ |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Silver, Gerald, and Silver, Myrna L. |date=1986-06-12 |title=Who's Missing on Father's Day? |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/302074789/ |work=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco |access-date=December 17, 2024}} Together, they continued to publish works on business data processing and later on social issues, such as Weekend Fathers,{{cite news |last=Dean |first=Paul |date=1981-09-01 |title=Rights of Divorced Fathers: New Book could be Magna Charta of Family Law |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/152889157/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2025-01-06}} a book based partly on his personal experiences that addressed the treatment of divorced fathers.{{cite news |author=Smith, Robert K. |date=1982 |title=Weekend Fathers, Gerald and Myrna Silver |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/205833004/ |work=Transitions |location=Manhasset, New York |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Cobb, Nathan |date=1981-09-30 |title=A Men-Can't-Win Look at Divorce |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/294068720/ |work=Boston Globe |location=Boston |access-date=December 17, 2024}} They also co-wrote the book Second Loves: A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men.{{cite book |last1=Silver |first1=Gerald A. |last2=Silver |first2=Myrna |date=1985 |title=Second Loves: A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iTLxAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Praeger |isbn=9780030008498}} Silver's life experiences also brought him into leadership positions with volunteer organizations such as United Fathers Organization (UFO), which advocated for the rights of single fathers.{{cite news |last=Mehren |first=Elizabeth |date=1980-04-08 |title=Child Support Via Payroll Deduction?: State Bill Aims at Divorced Dads |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/162760968/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2025-01-06}}

Silver also served as a professor at Los Angeles City College before retiring in the late 1990s.

Silver’s activism began in the early 1980s after he moved to Encino and found his home located in the flight path of Van Nuys Airport. Seeing this as an environmental and quality-of-life issue, he became involved in local politics and community advocacy, often confronting Los Angeles politicians and bureaucrats in contentious public forums.{{cite news |last=Hwangbo |first=Kay |date=1995-10-25 |title=Silver Admonished for Playing 'Race Card'; Public Hearing: A City Official Says the Homeowners of Encino Leader Made Racially Insensitive Comments as He Argued Against Plans to Update the Sherman Oaks Galleria |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-25-me-60934-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2025-01-06}}{{cite news |last=Glover |first=Scott |date=1993-08-19 |title=Activist Says Panel Exceeded Authority |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-19-me-25461-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2025-01-06}}

In 1983, Silver founded Homeowners of Encino, a watchdog organization focused on holding elected officials accountable for projects impacting San Fernando Valley residents.{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Leslie |date=December 17, 1990 |title=2 Voices Claim They Speak for Encino |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-17-me-4942-story.html |access-date=December 18, 2024}} He was also a member of several key boards and councils, including:

• The Encino Neighborhood Council (from its inception in 2002 until shortly before his death)
• The Van Nuys Airport Citizens Advisory Council{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=James |date=August 30, 1989 |title=Rancor Gone for Van Nuys Airport Panel: Factions in Noise Fight Talk Calmly at Meeting |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1153793829/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Haynes |first=Karima A. |date=August 19, 1997 |title=Activist Silver to Join Airport Advisors |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2110365921/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite news |author= |date=June 9, 2002 |title=LAWA Drops Ball on Van Nuys Airport Plan |url=https://sfvbj.com/news/lawa-drops-ball-on-van-nuys-airport-plan/ |work=San Fernando Valley Business Journal |access-date=January 6, 2025}}
• The Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan Review Board
• Stop the Noise homeowners coalition{{cite news |last=Kondo |first=Annette |date=April 19, 2000 |title=City Limits Number of New, Noisy Van Nuys Jets |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-19-me-21241-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 6, 2025}}{{cite news |last=McGreevy |first=Patrick |date=December 20, 1998 |title=City Plans to Soundproof 1,000 Homes Near Airport |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-20-me-55964-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 6, 2025}}

Silver's advocacy focused on issues such as traffic congestion,{{cite news |author= |date=1986-03-19 |title=Ventura Blvd. Parking Meters on Way in Encino|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292277841/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Pool, Bob |date=1988-09-29 |title=Lack of Lines Roils Traffic |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/909610877/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Klunder, Jan |date=1985-08-01 |title=Gridlock Looms in City's Study of Ventura Blvd. Traffic Knots Seen if High-Rise Construction Continues Unabated |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292144755/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}} aircraft noise,{{cite news |author=Johnson, Chip |date=1993-10-06 |title=Activist's Proposal for Copter Routes Assailed Aviation: Officials and Pilots Criticize Gerald Silver's Plan to Change Paths Over His House |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282249309/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=McGreevy, Patrick |date=1998-04-07 |title=Noisy Planes Fuel Push for Ban |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/281620205/ |work=Daily News |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Willman, Martha L. |date=1997-11-05 |title=News Helicopters Blamed for Airport Noise; Aviation: Study by Anti-Noise Activist Discounts Claims that Police and Fire Aircraft Account for Most Early Morning Takeoffs and Landings at Van Nuys Field |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/421189588/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}} air pollution,{{cite news |author=Roderick, Kevin |date=1988-07-14 |title=EPA Wants L.A. to Impose Stiff Rules for Reducing Smog |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292788507/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}} over-development,{{cite news |author=Cavanaugh, Kerry |date=2006-05-25 |title=Antonio Meets with Homeowners |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282676512/ |work=Daily News |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Braxton, Greg |date=1987-09-13 |title=Deputy Mayor Hears Harsh Words from Homeowners |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/292628580 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024|id={{ProQuest|292628580}} }} tax increases,{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Dakota |date=2014-06-11 |title=City Hall: L.A. Sales Tax Plan is Placed on Hold: Garcetti Reluctant to Support Increase Aimed at Funding Road, Sidewalk Fixes |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028E79CF8093BF6&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F14E6096285DC4268 |work=Daily News of Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Dakota |date=2014-03-18 |title=City Leaders Propose Sales Tax Hike to Pay for Los Angeles Street Repairs |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1508461727/ |work=Daily Breeze |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 17, 2024}} the Valley secession movement,{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Hugo |date=May 30, 1998 |title=Petition Drive Starts for Valley Secession Study |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2111454781/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite journal |last=Hogen-Esch |first=Tom |date=2001 |title=Urban Secession and the Politics of Growth: The Case of Los Angeles |journal=Urban Affairs Review |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=783–809 |doi=10.1177/107808740103600602}} and "sign blight."{{cite news |author=Semuels, Alana |date=2007-02-02 |title=Billboard Settlement Draws Criticism; A Judge May OK a Deal That Allows Illegally Altered Signs to Stay Up. Critics Say L.A. Caved In |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/422115600/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Zahniser, David |date=2009-01-20 |title=Their World Looks Darker through Ad-Covered Windows; Tenants Rail Against Signs Blanketing Office Buildings, Blotting Out Views and Sunshine |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/422286976/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}} He was credited with successfully opposing several large-scale projects, including the proposed double-decking of the Ventura Freeway (U.S. Route 101),{{cite news |last=Liu |first=Caitlin |date=March 25, 2002 |title=Second Level on 101 Freeway Is Under Study: Transportation: Caltrans Floats the Suggestion as a Solution to Worsening Congestion. But Many Residents Are Opposed, Citing Concerns About Quakes, Costs and Views |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2148682496/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}} the Los Angeles water reclamation project,{{cite journal |last1=Lejano |first1=Raul P. |last2=Leong |first2=Ching |date=2012 |title=A Hermeneutic Approach to Explaining and Understanding Public Controversies |journal=Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=793–814 |doi=10.1093/jopart/mus001 |jstor=23321342 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/23321342 |access-date=December 18, 2024}} the San Fernando Valley light rail proposal,{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=James |date=1987-11-22 |title=Homeowner Leader Proves Formidable as Enemy of Growth |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-22-me-23703-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2025-01-06}} and numerous proposals affecting Ventura Boulevard, the San Fernando Valley's major thoroughfare.{{cite news |last=Hwangbo |first=Kay |date=December 9, 1994 |title=Panel Discusses the Future of Ventura Boulevard: Much of the Talk Focuses on Whether the Thoroughfare Should Be Considered a Regional or a Local Street |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1973786278/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Pool |first=Bob |date=May 22, 1987 |title=Ventura Boulevard Remedies Collide: Business Leaders Fire Back at Homeowners; Call for More Parking, Not Less |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/814661010/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Braxton |first=Greg |date=December 10, 1990 |title=Surveying the Road Ahead: Ventura Boulevard: The City Council on Dec. 18 Will Take Up a Plan to Control Development Along the Valley's Main Thoroughfare. Even the Merchants Can't Agree if Less Is More |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1460956546/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}} According to some observers, Silver and his allies popularized the anti-water reclamation slogan "toilet-to-tap",{{cite news |last1=Haefele |first1=Marc B. |last2=Sklar |first2=Anna |date=August 26, 2007 |title=Making Water: This Time Around, L.A. Must Get Over the 'Yuck Factor' and Recycle its H2O |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2212801920/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}} although later he changed course somewhat and championed water reclamation for irrigation purposes.{{cite news |last=Liu |first=Caitlin |date=August 2, 2003 |title=Valley Irrigation System Will Use Recycled Water |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2158823666/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 18, 2024}} On several occasions Silver joined forces with local Indian tribes, such as the Chumash Indians, to stop what he perceived as over-development of the city.{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Leslie |date=1990-06-06 |title=Residents, Indians Join to Oppose Office Plan Development: Chumash Leaders Want an Archeological Survey of the Land, while a Homeowners Activist Calls for an Environmental Impact Report; the Matter is Under Study. |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/281129958/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}{{cite news |author=Berger, Leslie |date=1990-05-10 |title=Gadfly Rallies Indians to Save Encino's 'Lost Village' |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/281124099/ |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 17, 2024}}

Silver was criticized by some in the media, in government, and in the community as a NIMBY,{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Scott |date=1996-12-29 |title=Couples Flying United Spark Cries of 'Not in My Airspace' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-29-me-13623-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2024-12-23}}{{cite news |title=Editorial: The NIMBY Syndrome: 101 Freeway Reform Needs Community Input, Not Stonewalling |date=2003-07-03 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282515294/ |work=Daily News |location=Los Angeles, CA |page=N22 |access-date=2024-12-23}}{{cite news |title=Editorial: Get Down to Earth |date=1996-12-30 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/281786220/ |work=Daily News |location=Los Angeles, CA |access-date=2024-12-23}} but others defended his stance as pro-environment.{{cite news |last=Daly |first=John |date=1993-12-19 |title=Anti-NIMBY Arguments Are Irrelevant, Dangerous |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1851465192/|work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2024-12-23}} A front page profile in the Los Angeles Times in 2003 described him as a "hero to some and a villain to others." One government official was quoted as saying that Silver could be "bombastic and difficult," while another stakeholder said that Silver was a "true villain." In a separate, earlier profile of Silver he was described by critics as an "irresponsible naysayer." By contrast, others have said that Silver was "an inspiration" and "a straight shooter."

Silver was married twice and had four children—three sons and a daughter—with his first wife, Joan. He married his second wife, Myrna, in the mid-1970s, and they shared a marriage of four decades. Myrna had two daughters from a previous relationship.

Silver died on May 30, 2021, at the age of 88.

• Simplified FORTRAN IV Programming. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
• Data Processing for Business. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
• Introduction to Programming: Programming Logic and Flowcharting. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
• Introduction to Systems Analysis. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1976. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
• Small Computer Systems for Business. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.{{cite journal |last1=Noble |first1=A. S. |date=1979 |title=Small Computer Systems for Business: Gerald A. Silver. McGraw-Hill, Düsseldorf, 1978. |journal=European Journal of Operational Research |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=261–262 |publisher=Elsevier B.V |doi=10.1016/0377-2217(79)90153-X}}
• The Social Impact of Computers. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1979.{{cite journal |last1=Hammerton |first1=J. C. |date=1980 |title=Review of The Social Impact of Computers by Gerald A. Silver. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1979 |journal= ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society|volume=10 |issue=3–4 |pages=27–28 |doi=10.1145/957281.957286}}
• Weekend Fathers : For Divorced Fathers, Second Wives and Grandparents : Solutions to the Problems of Child Custody, Child Support, Alimony and Property Settlements. New York: Harper & Row, 1981. (co-authored with Myrna Silver){{cite news |last=Yenckel |first=James T. |date=1982 |title=Families: Fighting For Fathers' Rights |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, D.C. |page=B5}}
• Simplified BASIC Programming for Microcomputers. New York: Harper and Row, 1984. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Second Loves : A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men. New York: Praeger, 1985. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Computers & Information Processing. New York: Harper and Row, 1986 (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Learning Computer Programming: Structured Logic, Algorithms, and Flowcharting. Boston: Boyd & Fraser, 1986. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Simplified BASIC Programming for IBM PCs, PS/2s, Compatibles & Clones. New York: Ardsley House Publishers, 1988. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Data Communications for Business. Boston: Boyd & Fraser, 1991. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Layout, Design, and Typography for the Desktop Publisher. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown, 1991. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• How to Use Computer Software: A Hands-On Workbook for Printers. Encino, CA: Editorial Enterprises, 1992. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Understanding Computers. New York: HarperPerennial, 1994. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Modern Graphics Arts Pasteup. Encino, CA: Editorial Enterprises, 1995. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
• Exploring PageMaker 5.0 for Windows. Danvers, MA: Boyd & Fraser Pub. Co., 1995. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)

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Category:1936 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:20th-century American male writers

Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers

Category:Activists from Los Angeles

Category:Activists from Omaha, Nebraska

Category:Writers from Los Angeles

Category:Writers from Omaha, Nebraska