Michael Silverander

Date of Birth

April 9, 1950

Date of Death

August 11, 2020

Michael Silverander, a resident of Santa Barbara for close to four decades, died at home on August 11, 2020 after a tenacious, sixteen-month battle with multiple metastatic cancers. Michael died as he lived—on his own terms, with strength and dignity.

Michael David Silverglat was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, the second son of Louis and Esther Silverglat. His parents ran a successful and beloved shop, American Loan & Jewelry, where he learned the ins and outs of business and customer service as a young man working behind the counter. In his later years, Michael would credit the majority of his success as an entrepreneur to the lessons that he absorbed from his parents during this time. Michael attended the University of Missouri, where he received a degree from the renowned School of Journalism. Though he never worked as a journalist, the communications skills and keen editor’s eye that he acquired during his studies were the other key factors in securing his success as an independent businessperson.

Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Michael followed his heart and his fate to California, moving with two friends to Lake Tahoe. When the friends decided to return home, Michael found that he was called to stay in this new place and began to make a life there, eventually entering the field of communications, in which he would work for the remainder of his career. In Tahoe, Michael met and fell in love with a woman named Barbara Bohlander. Upon their marriage in 1976—in accordance with their creative natures and the spirit of the times—the two combined their respective family names to create a new one, Silverander.

Though the marriage ended in divorce, it first brought to Michael his only child, David Silverander. Michael was a devoted and loving father, who never ceased to share with his son the incredible quantity of information and insights that he amassed throughout his life. In keeping with the generosity that distinguished his character, Michael worked tirelessly to provide David with access to an excellent education and abundant resources to pursue his passions. Michael was endlessly proud of his son’s accomplishments and a highlight of both of their lives was the day that Michael masterfully officiated David’s wedding to his amazing wife.

In 1985, Michael created what could rightly be regarded as his second child, his company Silverander Communications. Michael poured himself into his work and the decades-long relationships that he enjoyed with many of his clients speak to the stellar results that he was able to achieve for them. Michael approached his work with both passion and principle, relentlessly drilling down to the core of any matter with which he was presented. He was never content to accept anything less than the very best for his clients, continually holding both himself and his collaborators to the highest standards of excellence. Michael ran Silverander Communications for 35 years, fully half of his life, ceasing operations just a few months before his death.

As Michael was fond of saying, he loved love and he loved marriage. In the second half of his life, he was blessed to know the partnership and devotion of two wonderful women. His second wife, Carol Silverander, came into his life as a client and left as someone who would forever shape his perspective on just about everything in the world. For most of their marriage, Carol fought her own valiant and graceful fight against breast cancer. With the support and succor of her eternally devoted husband, Carol survived for years longer than any doctors initially believed was possible, and together they traveled the world and savored the sweetness of life.

Though he was devastated by the loss of Carol in 2008, Michael persisted, inspiring those around him with the strength of his character and his unshakeable commitment to forward progress. In due time, life brought another great love into Michael’s life, Robin Yudelson. Introduced by a friend in 2011, Michael and Robin were soon inseparable companions and not too long after that became husband and wife. Robin challenged and pushed Michael as no partner had before and, as he would be the first to tell you, he was much the better man because of it. Robin’s devotion to Michael during the final, difficult chapter of his life was a great and invaluable blessing, and she was relentless in working to facilitate his final wishes.

In addition to his loving relationships with people, Michael’s life was greatly enriched by his love of animals, particularly dogs. He was often known to opine that “most dogs are better than most people” and he could form fast friendships with nearly any canine in his presence. As with anything important to him, Michael lavished a great deal of care and attention on his animals, sparing no expense or effort to ensure that they were well cared for, healthy and comfortable.

Michael is survived by his wife Robin, his son David, his daughter-in-law Kate Elliott and his grandson Milo Silverander, all of Santa Barbara, California; his brother and sister-in-law Alan and Cindy Silverglat of Sarasota, Florida, and his step-daughter, Kim Romano, of Austin, Texas.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, California.

Login

Please note this login is to submit events or press releases. Use this page here to login for your Independent subscription

Not a member? Sign up here.