Rev. Lars J. Silverness (1925 – 2017)

Cherished husband, grandfather, father, and protestant chaplain died on August 30, 2017 at age 92 at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY. Born to Inberth and Sophie on a rural dairy farm in Oak Park, Minnesota, he moved to Chicago and later to Boston to obtain a B.A. in English from Gordon College in 1952. He then pursued theological seminary studies at North Park College in Chicago and graduated in 1954. He ministered his faith and devotion in several different settings from a Potawatomi tribal reservation, various hospitals, to local parishes before becoming the protestant chaplain at Creedmoor State Psychiatric Hospital in Queens, NY. For over 30 years at Creedmoor he helped countless individuals as a counselor, listener, spiritual advisor, and genuine friend. During that timeframe Creedmoor had a population of 7,000 patients. He was the initiator and driving force for the creation of Faith Chapel on the hospital grounds that took over 10 years to fund and construct. Once completed, over 300 people would attend Sunday service. In parallel, he continued his studies and went on to obtain a Dr. of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary in 1977. He was the first mental health chaplain to provide counseling at outpatient clinics to the community. He later became chaplain for the Kennedy Airport Protestant Chapel where he was recognized in 1996 with The Bishop Wright Award for his contribution to the airline industry.
Lars loved to take cruises with his wife and served as either a chaplain or lecturer on more than two dozen voyages. While in the fjords of Norway he saw Sylvarnes, the origin of his father's family. He had an ability to bring people together from all walks of life and had an empathetic and embracing nature that made everyone feel comfortable and welcome, even during his last days. He was deeply moved by the visions of Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy and made a personal mission to bring their words to life. In his own words, he "always had a need to be needed". He was a charter member and president of the Floral Park, NY Rotary chapter. He was passionate in his involvement with the Rotary's Gift of Life Program that facilitates free medical service to children suffering from heart disease. Ironically, its first action was to treat a 5 year old from Uganda with successful open-heart surgery in 1974 at the same hospital where Lars died. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Natalie, his sister Eleanor Johnson, son Scott and his wife Kate, son Richard Sylvarnes and his wife Ellen, three grandchildren Ian, Erik, and Sonje Sylvarnes, and by many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Nels and Francis and his sisters Barbara Erickson and Ramona Bergstrom. His gentleness and kindness are indelibly marked in our minds and souls forever. Donations in his memory may be made to the Gift of Life Program at http://thegiftoflifeinc.org/

Published on NYTimes.com Sept. 2, 2017