William Silverman
William Silverman passionately believed in lifelong learning. Throughout his life his mission was to inspire curiosity, conversation and wonder about biology, botany and humanity. As a teacher, Silverman was committed to the need to educate, love and protect the diversity of life on planet Earth. He spent his life focused on the exploration and study of science and the human species’ responsibility for the preservation and protection of the diversity of all life on our planet. He nurtured this passion by dedicating his life to observing and studying nature, cultivating and tending his garden and regularly exploring public libraries and parks with a wide spectrum of friends.
Silverman, the son of Samuel and Ida Silverman, was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 3, 1927. He moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota, where he received his PhD in biology. For 26 years Silverman taught a wide range of biology and botany classes at St. Thomas. As a teacher, he was always sowing the seeds of lifelong learning; Silverman inspired hundreds of students at St. Thomas as well as many neighbors and friends.