Mervyn Isidore Silberberg

Mervyn Isidore Silberberg, a native San Franciscan, gave his last salute on Thursday, August 20, 2020. Born to Harry and Sara Silberberg on July 11, 1928, Merv had an indomitable spirit which carries on in his two daughters and several step children, as well as 3 grandchildren. 

A seventh generation San Franciscan on his mother’s side and second on his father’s, Merv loved the City by the Bay and its history. He grew up in the Marina and as a teen, worked at his parents’ dress shop in the then fashionable Tenderloin of the ‘30s and ‘40s. He was a lifelong member of the oldest Elks Club in existence, B.P.O.E. 3, and served as a Grand Lodge officer for many years. In the late ‘50s, Merv became a real estate broker which he spent his life doing.

Merv celebrated the legacy of his forefathers, who had imprinted on San Francisco in a variety of ways. He was a passionate member of several historical societies focused on San Francisco and California, with a keen interest in his Mexican ancestry, forefathers of which were amongst the founding families of the Presidio San Francisco. 

Merv, occasionally referred to as “The Mayor of Sacramento Street” because of his larger than life presence in the neighborhood, loved to meet new people and cherished his old and loyal friends. He would often host luncheons with a table of guests with whom he philosophized or argued about the enduring strength of small business, America, and our democratic republic. While non-denominational, Merv described himself as a “Jesuit-Jew”, forged by a complex reasoning that integrated his Catholic-Jewish upbringing with a faith in reincarnation. He applied this understanding to his two key concerns: property rights and small business.

Notably, Merv opened the first psychotherapy collective building on Sacramento Street, kicking off what was for decades to become known as "Therapy Row". He would always think of this building  and the Presidio Heights / Laurel neighborhoods as home and he exerted himself endlessly to protect the character of small neighborhood businesses.

He never shied from a good legal fight and three were especially meaningful to him: one, a lawsuit naming then Mayor Diane Feinstein and the city over the rezoning of neighborhood commercial zones, which would have threatened our unique small neighborhood districts; two, the protection of Veterans’ property rights over the Veteran Building at 401 Van Ness; and three, the retention of the classic and beautiful downtown building owned by the B.P.O.E. 3 on Post Street. He also fought alongside Frieda Klussman to help keep the cable car system in operation.

Merv also loved the military services. Though he was an Army officer, his appreciation for aviation brought him to serve as the Program Director and then President of the Air Force Association, as well as Director of the Western Aerospace Museum. In those positions, he provided many spectacular educational and entertaining gatherings, including the annual Kittyhawk Charity Ball, Day at the Horse Races, and appearances of military symphony at Davies Hall.

One of his favorite passtimes was playing cards, and particulalry poker. He also loved numbers and patterns. In the last years, his favorite salutations had become, “Whatever you wish me, I wish you double.” At his funeral, when one of his daughters placed some dice in his crypt, they rolled out and a pair of sixes landed. In the words of Rabbi Zelig Golden, who conducted the event:

"Merv’s last roll was epic. 6 are the points of the star of david. 6 is the Hebrew letter vav, which is the connector of heaven and earth in the name of God יהוה - and when you take 6 x 6 you get 36 which is twice 18, also known as “Double Chai” - 18 is “Life” as in L’Chaim - Double Chai is a beloved number for donations, for blessings, and it’s well, double Life - “Whatever you Wish me, I wish you double. “ Pure Magic"

Merv was predeceased by his father, “Harry” Isidore Silberberg, his two brothers, Robert and Herbert Silberberg, his former wife Anne Marie McBath and finally his mother, Sara Hilarita Silberberg. He is survived by his two daughters, Babette Hogan and Skye Richards, his step-sons, John and Darius McBath, and three grandchildren, Marie Hogan and Kyle and Brendan Richards, as well as his nephews Danny, Mike and Kelly Silberberg, David Ezgar, and niece, Carol Lynn Stevenson Grellas, and their families.

Due to Stay at Home Orders, there will be no public memorial service at this time. We will be conducting a Zoom Celebration of Life/Memorial. Please check the events page for more information.