Carl Silver

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Carol Silver. Also surviving are two brothers, Robert and Thomas Silver, his sister, Catherine Silver (husband Jim Erskine), all of Weaverville, NC., nieces, Roxanne Turpen of Asheville, NC, Lauren Silver (husband Jeremy Turner) of Seattle, WA, nephew, Alex Silver (Cara Scozzafava) of Portland, ME; great nephew, Evander Elzie of Manassas, VA; brother-in-law, Ken Ristau (wife Deanne) of Omak, WA; sisters-in-law, Janet (husband Tom) Carson of Colorado Springs, CO, Terry Porter (John Schroeder) of Colorado Springs, CO, niece, Nicole (Derrick) Burnette of Colorado Springs, CO, nephew, Kyle Carson of Colorado Springs, CO, nephew, Jacob Carson of Avon, IN, and aunt, Carol Norkowski of Perrysburg, OH.

Carl is preceded in death by a niece, Tracy Turpen.

Carl graduated from Alpena High School in 1968. He next attended Alpena Community College and Michigan State University, earning a bachelor’s degree. Before proceeding to law school, he married his lifelong partner, Carol Ristau on August 5, 1972. Carl continued his education at Detroit College of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1976. Carl’s interest in law was influenced by his great-grandfather, Charles R. Henry, and his grandfather, Carl R. Henry, both respected attorneys and pillars of the Alpena community. He took great pride in continuing this family tradition of law practice and enjoyed serving northern Michigan and the Alpena community.

After college, Carl began his legal profession with the Isackson and Wallace Law firm, where he worked for his mentor, Mr. Isackson. Carl then ventured out on his own to establish his private legal practice in Alpena, which he enjoyed for the next 44 years. Carl served on the board of North Eastern Michigan Rehabilitation Opportunity Center (NEMROC), was a member of the Michigan State Bar Association, the Rotary Club of Alpena, the Alpena Golf Club, and obtained PADI dive certification.

Carl loved this region and all that it offered. He was drawn to the waters of northern Michigan. It began early. Three-year-old Carl learned to ski at Mt. Maria on Hubbard Lake. As early as 14, Carl had a great interest in boats, motors, and all things with engines, when he constructed his very own hydroplane in the basement of his family home. His passion only grew. Carl continued to restore boat motors and had a wonderful collection of Evinrude motors awaiting restoration. With skill and precision, he continued to restore the motors he had amassed until recently. Carl was a member of the Antique Outboard Motor Club.

His love for golf began when, at 15, Carl went golfing with his dad and shot a hole-in-one at Lost Lake Woods Club. He was hooked. Carl earned his private pilot license in 1969, no doubt influenced by his WWII pilot father. Carl also loved motorcycles, sports cars, kite flying, kayaking, boating, sailing, and building boat models. He traveled across the United States and Europe with his wife, Carol, and enjoyed boat cruises and camping. He watched the sunrises over Lake Huron from his lakefront home, where he could often be found with his camera in hand.

Carl will be lovingly missed by his family, friends, clients, and hunting camp buddies where his poker skills earned him the nickname “Hot Carl.” He was especially known for his patience, kindness, positive attitude, and ability to research and repair almost anything.

The family is grateful for the care of Dr. Hitzelburger and staff of MyMichigan of Alpena, cancer center, Munson Otsego Memorial Hospital, and for Hospice of Michigan.

Memorial visitation will take place at the Bannan Funeral Home on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 1 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3 p.m. with Rev. Richard Hotchkin officiating.

In memory of Carl and in lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for a donation to NEMROC, Friends Together, and/or the Besser Museum.