Colin Davis Silberberg

What a terrible, shocking loss! Colin Davis Silberberg, just 44 years old, our wonderful nephew, cousin, friend, colleague, and teacher, died in his sleep on January 12, 2026.

Colin spent nearly all of his short life in Indianapolis. His career was devoted to tutoring countless students at Lawrence Central High School. For over twenty years, Colin nurtured, advised, and trained them to organize their studies and think through a topic. Many succeeded to college and poignantly remember “a great tutor” who “always noticed me” and “believed in me.”

For relaxation, he loved hip-hop music and movies and developed an encyclopedic knowledge of both. Yet, even more, his focus was on the Cubs, often wearing clothes with their insignia and collecting numerous pieces of memorabilia. As a passionate fan, his one regret was that, after their long-awaited World Series victory, his Dad was not alive to celebrate it with him.

But far beyond these interests, nothing was more important than family. A loving son to his parents, Bruce Silberberg and Cheryl Fesmire, he shared time equally with them after their divorce, but he continued visiting and enjoying the warmth and special treats of family holidays with his Uncle Mark and Aunt Karla Fesmire and his Grandma Betty Fesmire, in nearby Markleville, IN. He saw Betty often when his parents were alive and every week after they were gone, helping her clean, shop, and stay cheerful through the remainder of her 102(!) years — if there were an award for Greatest Grandson, he’d have won it hands down.

Colin especially looked forward to his annual weeklong trip to family in Massachusetts — Uncle Marty Silberberg, Aunt Ruth Melnick, and Cousin Daniel — to whom he was almost close as another son and brother. Eating out, watching TV, and going to movies filled the time, while trips to see the ocean at Cape Cod, the Red Sox at Fenway Park, and extended family were special treats. But what he cherished most was just hanging out talking on the porch and catching up on life.

With barely two days notice, a large group of friends and colleagues, some of whom he had known for decades, got together for a memorial gathering. Several said if his death were not so sudden and there had been more notice, they could have filled an arena. Many sobbed as they remembered their friend — big, loud, caring, and always ready for a good argument, but no matter how heated, they always knew he loved them. He will be sorely missed by those fortunate enough to have known a man of such integrity and warmth — a truly terrible loss!

To honor the memory of Colin Davis Silberberg, consider a donation to the World Wildlife Fund.