Dr. I.O. Silver

A Man for All Seasons
Football - Basketball - Baseball - Track

Written by Barry Baumgardner

    When the words "school spirit" are mentioned, Steel-High comes to mind; when the words "Steel High" are mentioned, the word "Silver" has to be included.  To that list add the word "Success".  "Steel High" --"sports"--"Silver"--"success".  Now try and separate one from the other.  Impossible!

    Doc Silver never scored a touchdown, never won a track event, never hit a home run and never scored a field goal, but like Charley Hoy, who also never played sports in either high school or college, he became an avid follower of athletics and like Charley became an ardent and very partial Steel-High fan.  Perhaps the true measure of the man is that he has achieved acclamation, admiration and adoration in a town that has always, heretofore, reserved its fame for only sports figures and politicians.

    Doc's beginning goes back to 1909 when Joe and Stella Silver had their third and last child.  He graduated form Steelton in 1926 (at 148 lbs.) where he became the first drum major in the history of the school.  He then attended Franklin and Marshall College where he met and married his ever faithful and understanding Miriam who lived just across the street from the college.  After graduating from there, he attended Jefferson Medical School, graduating in 1934.  Following his one year internship, he served in the army as a 2nd Lieutenant until 1936.  In 1936 he returned to Steelton tohis private practice as a general practitioner.  In 1947 he succeeded Dr. Byrod who had served as team physician for nine years.  Dr. Byrod had himself succeeded another Steelton legend Dr. W. P. Dailey who had served as team physician for a period of 32 years, the longest in school history.  With Doc Silver completing the 1978-79 school term he will have equaled the late Doc Dailey's longevity mark. All three of these respected physicians are graduates of Steel High.  Doc and Miriam have three children, Ed, Larry and Sue, and are the proud grandparents of Michael, David, Jennifer, Mark and Matthew.  In addition to his family responsibilities, his private practice and duties as team physician, Doc has found time to serve as Chairman of the March of Dimes, Chairman of the Steelton Authority, physician for the Dauphin County Prison and serves on the Board of Directors of Commonwealth National Bank and B'Nai-B'Rith.

    Doc has missed two Steel High football games in 27 years.  But we'll excuse you, Doc, we know something awfully important had to occur to cause you to miss those two games.

    But why has Doc, overworked in his regular medical practice, taken time to attend over a thousand games and countless thousands of practice sessions?  Because he loves sports, any sport; and he loves kids, any kids; and because he was born and raised in Steelton and as Doc says, "How can you live in Steelton and not love sports!"

    For 32 years now he has been treating Steel High students and athletes and for the record, there are many Steel High students that became college graduates simply because Doc had learned of their financial problems.  For 22 years Doc has served as timer at Steel High track meets.  And for the record, after each track meet a check is made out payable to Doctor I.O Silver.  And after each track meet that same check is returned to Steel High uncashed.  Doc puts in much more time that any team physician in the area.  He shows up at almost all practice sessions and almost all JV and Junior High games. Recently, however, with a second generation Silver on the side lines and court as physician, Doc can now take more time to get to the games.  Let it now be known that Larry started practicing medicine (and without a license) while still a high school student.  At his office when Doc would be busy, he would have Larry apply treatment to many an athlete.  And Larry was a pretty fair basketball player in his day as well as an aspiring physician.  We're proud that Larry is following in his Dad's footsteps with the same modest traits -- down to earth, proud of his association with Steel High, and loyal to our towns and our peoples.

    Although Doc denies it, the rumors still persist that he has carried more plays onto the field during time outs, given more pep talks, offered more advice (unsolicited) to head coaches and fought with more referees than most Steel High assistant coaches!  It's jokingly said that one of Marty Benkovic's biggest problems as a Coach is how to keep Doc quiet on the bench.  It's also said that Doc has had more technical fouls called on him than any doctor in the entire State of Pennsylvania!  And that's our Doc Silver.  There isn't a man or woman in Steelton that would speak badly of him or would let anyone else do so.  The "why" is simple.  In an era where affection is considered old fashioned, we LOVE THE MAN!

    If Doc should ever present a bill for all he has done and contributed to Steel High, its students, its athletes and its coaches, there wouldn't be enough money to pay it.  Because how can you repay love?  You can only return it in kind - AND THAT WE DO WITH INTEREST!

    Here is a man who has had a section of Steelton named after him (Silver Manor), received the Community Service award from the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, has been mentioned in such national publications as Ripley's "Believe It or Not", and written up in such prestigious publications as "New York Magazine" and "Who's Who in the East".  He's on a first name basis with every local and many County and State politicians.  For the record, his home has been visited by such sport celebrities as the immortal Jim Thorpe, Robin Roberts and the other "Whiz Kids" of Phillies fame; Greasy Neal and team members of the Philadelphia Eagles, Rip Engle, Jersey Joe Walcott and even the great Joe Lewis .  But don't be surprised if you see Doc standing on a corner in Steelton talking sports with a group of steel workers, a trio of old timers or possibly just you or me.  And why not?  After all he is Doc Silver and he belongs to Steelton. And Steelton belongs to him.  And he belongs to us.  All you ever have to do is call "Hi Doc" to this popular personality and you'll always get a smile and a wave and maybe even a slap on the shoulder.  And if knowing that makes you walk a little taller, or gives you a little lump in your throat or maybe a tiny tug at your heart strings, then thank God for that mister, for you are a Steeltonian...and thank God that Doc Silver is, too!