[dropcap sid=”dropcap-1446585320″]L[/dropcap]ongtime advertising and television executive, Robert “Bob” Silberberg (‘55), died peacefully with the same grace and dignity for which he was known, on October 26th, in Boynton Beach, Florida from pancreatic cancer. He was 83. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.
Silberberg was a pioneer in the days of a three network television industry. He readily shared his experience and keen insight to those in need or seeking counsel. All who had the fortune to meet Bob were immediately taken by his open-hearted caring nature, his energy, intelligence and drive, and above all his charisma, sense of humor and smile which lit up a room.
After graduating from Baruch College in 1955, Bob was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. Upon leaving the service in 1959, he started his career in advertising at Benton and Bowles, and then Needham Harper & Steers where he served as VP and Assistant Media Director. In 1966, he joined ABC Television Network as Assistant Daytime Sales Manager. He served over 20 years at ABC, ultimately in the role of Senior VP and General Sales Manager. He then worked at CBS Television as VP, Sales, for news, daytime, and children’s programming. After leaving CBS, he worked as Executive VP and Director of Programming for Backer Spielvogel Bates, and initiated a joint venture named BKS/Bates which developed programming for the agency’s advertising clients. This venture transitioned into Role Entertainment, an independent syndication company, which distributed Sid and Marty Krofft’s comedy D.C. Follies among other shows. Bob worked with his business partner Leonard Koch at Role until his death.
In 2005 he was awarded the Baruch College Alumni of Distinction Award on the 50th anniversary of his college graduation.
Bob was loved universally, and will be dearly missed by his wife of 61 years, Sylvia (’55), his sons, Steven, Gary, and Michael, brother Alan, daughter-in-laws, Susan and Veronica, and grandchildren, David, Briana, Adam, Lia, and Molly,