When I heard that Mel Silberman had died, I was deeply saddened. He was a friend, a colleague, and a golf buddy. He was not only a student of Active Learning, he was also an active participant in life; he realized how short it was. He, Ken Blanchard and I shared a Faith at Work session at ASTD. I was blessed. He had a long, patient, and courageous battle with cancer. I will miss him.

Obituary

Dr. Mel Silberman, 67, Professor Emeritus at Temple University, and a pioneer in the field of educational psychology and training, died peacefully at home on Saturday, February 20, 2010, after a 13-year battle with lung cancer.

Known internationally as a pioneer in the areas of active learning, interpersonal intelligence, and team development, Mel was a professor at Temple for 41 years; won two awards for his distinguished teaching, including the Great Teacher Award in 2000; and authored 34 books on education and training. He also had a strong faith and was a founder of vibrant Jewish communities in Philadelphia, Princeton, and Ocean Grove, Penn.

Mel served as editor of The ASTD Training and Performance Sourcebook and The  ASTD OD and Leadership Sourcebook. He also completed one last title, to be released soon: Unforgettable Experiential Activities. In 2007, Mel was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the North American Simulation and Gaming Association.

Mel and Rosalind (Shoshana), his high school sweetheart, were together for 53 years. Some of her thoughts as well as other friends and family members have posted their remembrances of Mel here.