James R. Silber M.D. (1923—2010)

James Silber , M.D., a long time member of the Los Angeles Institute, died November 4 at his home in Valley Village . He was 87. In the course of this long life, he was a witness to wartime chaos in 20th century Europe as well as to the founding and growth of our Institute. The son and stepson of our founders, Hilde and James Kirsch , his early life was marked by abrupt transitions: the death of his father; flight from Berlin in 1933, when he was 10; subsequent relocations in Switzerland , Italy , Palestine and London before the final emigration to Los Angeles in 1940.

A curious and studious boy, Jim did well in school, despite the many interruptions, and pursued a vocation in medicine and, subsequently, psychiatry. His devotion to medicine and his identity as a physician stayed with him all his life. He was certified as a Jungian analyst by the Los Angeles Institute in the early 1970’s and was active in Institute affairs, serving as President and co-Director of training in the 1980s.

His later years were marked by a gradual withdrawal from the activities of the Institute, such that many of our members knew him only as a quiet amiable presence at major Institute events. His warm private life with his wife and companion of 20 years, Jeanine Roose , was enriched by his love of music and reading, his bonds with old friends, and his connection with a small social group of men friends whom he first became acquainted with in a cardiac rehabilitation program following heart surgery in the late 90’s. These recent years have been marked, even dominated, by a number of long-term serious health problems, which he attended to and endured with remarkable patience and cheerfulness.

-- Deborah Wesley