Obituary

"From New York Times on January 23, 2022:

Emanuel "Manny" Silkiss died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Walnut Creek, CA surrounded by loved ones. He was 94 and had a long and magnificent life. He is survived by his daughter Rona Silkiss MD FACS, son-in-law Neil Jacobstein, beloved nieces Rena and Debbie Tishman, Jeanna, Vicki and Lorraine Silkiss, nephews Drs. Alan and Ronnie Sher, Drs. Gerald and Robert Tishman and Dana Silkiss. His beloved wife Rose of 63 years and daughter Susan had passed previously. Manny's parents, Sarah Blender and Joseph Silkiss, were born in Lutsk, Volhynia, Ukraine and emigrated to the U.S. just after WWI. Manny, born in Brooklyn, was a brilliant and curious child. Manny attended Stuyvesant High School in New York. He studied engineering at Pratt and the University of Michigan, delighting in surprising his professors with his intellect. He enlisted into the U.S. Army during WWII. Manny was stationed in Tokyo, Japan and repaired firearms and optical equipment. Manny told many stories about Japan, and the young women that wanted to marry him, after the Japanese surrender. Upon returning home to the U.S., Manny took advantage of the GI bill and completed his studies in engineering at the University of Michigan focusing on metallurgical and chemical engineering. He graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in chemical and metallurgical engineering. He received a master's degree in Metallurgy. In 1956, Manny also earned a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School, providing him with a rare combination of engineering and law degrees. This served him well throughout his career. Manny found his professional home at Lucius Pitkin, Inc. a metallurgical, chemical, and research laboratory founded in 1885. He became CEO of this company and built it into a pre-eminent failure analysis corporation. Manny was a star expert witness in the maritime materials failure and quality control arena. Manny really enjoyed this work because it called upon his chemical and metallurgical engineering knowledge and his legal critical thinking skills. Manny eventually retired from Lucius Pitkin, Inc and left the firm in the capable hands of his business partners. However, he never gave up being an engineer - always analytical, inquisitive, and able to fix about everything. Manny met the very smart and pretty Rose Tishman in 1952 - on a double date! He was taken by her intelligence and energy. They married in 1954. Rose and Manny had an exceptionally good marriage, which included two accomplished and beautiful children, Susan and Rona. Rose and Manny traveled extensively and enthusiastically. They lived between their homes in NY, Santa Monica, and Walnut Creek. Manny was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and friend. During his life and career, his candle burned extremely bright. Manny reluctantly accepted the limitations of old age, but always longed to get back in the game and be an ace engineering problem solver. He loved his work and considered himself extremely fortunate in that regard. Emanuel and Rose Silkiss will be interred together at the San Francisco Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Silkiss Family Research Fund at the Pacific Vision Foundation: https://pacificvisionfoundati on.org/make-a-contribution/"