Neil Silver

June 2, 1928 - Dec. 20, 2015
SOUTH BEND - Neil Silver died in South Bend Sunday morning. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Jack and Rose Silver. As a young child, the family moved to South Bend, where Neil grew up.

He graduated from Riley High School and Indiana University-Bloomington, earning a degree in accounting after having served in the U.S. Army. Neil loved telling the story of seeing Leah Coffman for the first time when he was 15 years old, which began a relationship that resulted in their marriage in 1949 and a life-long loving, fun and fascinating partnership.

After graduating from IU in 1951, Neil worked for the South Bend Parking Company in Lansing, Michigan before returning to South Bend in 1955. In the 1960s, Neil founded Allied Quality Products in Mishawaka. Several years later the company was merged with Allied Screw Products, which eventually was renamed Allied Specialty Precision. Neil was passionate about the quality of the parts they manufactured for the aerospace industry and always took great pride in his employees and formed lasting relationships with them. The business has been located in Mishawaka for its 62 year history. It continues to be a successful and active member of the local and national aerospace manufacturing communities.

In 2005, Neil sold the business to Pam Rubenstein, his daughter. He concentrated on ensuring that Pam would continue operating the company with the same commitment, passion and dedication that he had. Neil was a member of Temple Beth-El, and at one time was President of the Board of Family and Children Center. Neil and Leah, believing firmly in the value of education, established a scholarship fund at the Jewish Federation. Neil loved photography and particularly enjoyed taking photographs of the faces not only of his loved ones but also of all the many people he saw during his and Leah's travels here and abroad. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved being supportive and generous, and enjoyed theater in our local community as well as in cities around the world.

Most of all, Neil was devoted to his family. He was adored by his wife and daughters and their families, as well as by his many nephews and nieces and their families. Survivors include his wife, Leah, his daughters, Pamela Silver Rubenstein and Carole Silver and her husband John O'Hare; grandchildren Alec Rubenstein (Melissa), and Rachele and Suzanna O'Hare; and three great-grandchildren,Lillian and Madison Rubenstein and Brooklyn Lykes.

The family expresses its gratitude to the staff at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center and the South Bend Hospice House.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 am in the Chapel at Hebrew Orthodox Cemetery, Mishawaka. Rabbi Karen Companez, from Temple Beth El, officiating. To send condolences to the family log on to: www.McGannHay.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Neil's memory may be made to a charity of choice.
 

Published by South Bend Tribune from Dec. 21 to Dec. 22, 2015.

08/07/2023 EJS