John Hoard (Hoard)

Bob was part of the group I hung out with and we shared a number of classes.  Later we were Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers at University of Washington.  He was fun to be around and always had a good joke to share.

It hits home when your friends are starting to leave -- I am not ready to be one of the old guys!

John Tobin

…and Bob was part of a group I hung with at DeMille Jr. Hi.  I will always remember Bob as an enormously considerate and affable friend.  He was quick witted and possessed a keen, but understated sense of humor. I deeply regret missing the opportunity to meet up once again with Bob to share some of the many years passed by.   It really is bittersweet ... the fond memories precipitated by these sad announcements.

Daniel Braun

Bobby you will be missed.

Jim Gardiner

I too was part of Bob's running mates from DeMille through our high school years.  We shared many laughs and experiences over the years.  Since Bob and I took different career paths, I regret that I didn't make a better effort to get to Arizona or Idaho to give him a run for the money on the golf course.  He was and will always remain one of my best memories of my school years.  

Suzanne Batcheller (Hendricks)

Awww.  I was looking forward to meeting up again at the reunion this summer.  I'll remember Bob as being poignantly smart, with a sharp knowing look in his eye.

Daniel Braun

Robert Charles Silhavy, 67.  On January 6, 2016 the wind carried Bob from his home onto the third fairway of the Coeur d'Alene Golf Course and into the loving arms of his parents, grandparents and all his friends who had gone before him.

Robert "Bob" Charles Silhavy, was born November 15, 1948, to Captain Robert C. and Bonnie Silhavy at SHMC in Spokane, Wash.  Early in life he lived in Omak, Wash., as an infant before moving with his parents to Spokane.  At age 10, his family relocated to Long Beach, Calif. where he attended high school.  After graduation, in 1968, he attended the University of Washington, Washington State University and later studied at UCLA from 1970-1972.

In 1972, Bob was drafted into the USAF serving as an active duty Airman 1st  Class and trained as a Lab Specialist at Fairchild Air Force Base.  From 1973-1978, he served in the Air National Guard in Spokane.  In 1976, Bob earned his Bachelor of Science degree at EWU followed by a Master of Science degree in 1977.  Bob had an 18 year carear as a lab supervisor in multiple settings until retiring in 1995 due to health reasons.

At a young age Bob learned to tap dance and play accordion performing on Spokane's Starlit Stairway for a number of years.  He was an avid golfer, vivacious reader and a celebratory man.

Special mention to those he left behind, Tess Steinmetz and Martha McRea, the true loves of his life; Betty Roark; Dan and Trudy Braun; Greg Lynch; Jim Gardiner; Bernie Roe; Nona Rick; Jim and Nell Spaulding; Bill Brunelle; Barb Kobs; Cliff and Mary K. "Casey" Prosch; and Dr. Robert Hagen, MD.

Greg Lynch

      One of the most fortunate occurrances in my life was the random situation of choosing a seat next to Bob in Mr. Romo's Spanish class at DeMille Jr. High School.  When I walked into that classroom the first day, I did not know Bob, but an empty seat was available next to him.  Little did I know what an adventure that seat would carry me on to in life.  It was not long before Bob and I became best friends, which lasted for his lifetime.  Bob introduced me to the wonderful group of friends that would add immeasurably to my life.  In high school and college, this group of friends (Jim Gardiner, Dan and Trudy Braun, Mary ("Tess") Stienmetz, Betty Livingston, Mike Johnson, Helen Hathaway, Dane Mason, Tom Rubick, Sue Bacheller, Arlene Vezina, and others over time) gave me the social acceptance, social confidence, and self confidence that all teenagers look for, and need in order to grow, and develop socially.  I remember the endless, carefree summers spent at Huntington Beach, Lifeguard Station 11, playing Hearts, Pinochle, etc..  In that group, Bob and I double-dated with our girlfriends. I dated Helen Hathaway, who became the first "Love of My Life" in high school and college, and Bob dated Mary Steinmetz, who was also the love of Bob's life. 

     Bob would occasionally visit California, and would meet up with Dan Braun and me to re-live "the good old times" over lunch.  As an adult, Bob lived in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in the summers, and in Arizona in the winters.  A number of  years ago, I flew to Arizona, and visited him at his home there for a few days.  Although we talked on the phone since then, that was the last time that I saw Bob.

    The immense debt that I owed him for including me in his social group, and all of the great benefits that I enjoyed as a result of that could never be re-paid to him, so I made it a point to live my life paying it forward.

   Bob, we had wonderful times together.  I will miss you, buddy.

Daniel Braun

Over the last several years Bob, living in Idaho was unable to play his favorite activity, golf.  He had played all of his life.  Most recently he would watch the weekly tournaments.  In California, I would frequently watch the same tournaments.  His favorite golfer was Payne Stewart followed by Phil Mickelson.  After a tournament we would contact each other.  We would share a few thoughts about the tournament.  Today I watched an amateur from Canada.  Twenty one year old Du Toit.  I remember our conversations and had an erge to contact him and talk about the amazing golfer.  Bob will be missed.