Richard Silva was born July 15, 1930 at the Orr Ranch in Yreka and passed away on September 8 at the age of 92. He attended school in Grenada and Yreka and graduated from Yreka High School.

Richard married Orsola Salanti in 1952 and they were married for 71 years. They have two children, Patricia Salles (Jerry) and David Silva and three grandsons: Eric Fields, Jon Fields (Jennifer), David Silva (Samantha). They have many great grandchildren: Tyler (Angela), Jimmy, Cole (Janie), Archer, Jonas, Cohen, Wayden, Siobhan and Brynlee.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Bertille Mathews Silva, his sister Patricia, his father, George Henry Silva, and daughter-in-law, Beth Silva.

Richard and Orsola started and managed Silva General Contractors and Silva Building and Development Inc. They developed land, residential and commercial developments and left a mark in Yreka and Siskiyou County. Richard and Orsola were presented the Citizens of the Year in 2003 for their community involvement.

After retirement Richard joined his love of the outdoors with photography and started a new business, Wilderness Photography. His photos won several awards and his spotted owl photo was presented to President Bush and was displayed in the White House. Richard was the official photographer for an archaeological project in Peru. Richard’s award-winning photographs were selected for the covers of the 1981 and 1982 California State Hunting Regulations.

Richard was a competitive marksman and successfully competed in national competitions. He loved his dogs and to hunt, fish, travel, waterski and guide hunting trips in Montana and served in the California National Guard.

Richard’s love of the outdoors, history and writing led him to become an expert in local history, mapping and trail research. He was a regular presenter at local, state and federal historical meetings. Richard wrote many books and articles researching and mapping immigrant trails throughout Utah, Nevada, Oregon and Northern California.  Richard’s and Orsola’s research is sought after by governmental agencies and historians.   Along with Orsola he set a standard for trail mapping that was adopted by OCTA and many State and Federal agencies striving for historic trails preservation and protection. They received many awards for their research and publications including the OCTA Lifetime Achievement Award and the State Of Jefferson Award For Outstanding Research. Richard enjoyed a wide network of friends met during historical projects.

Richard also worked with Native Americans to preserve their history. When traveling the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming with Orsola, they came across a monument for Sacagawea.

As an eagle is free when he flys

So am I free to fly

As an unbroken horse is wild and free

So is my spirit

As a buffalo is generous and giving

So my heart is generous and giving

So as you see the eagle fly, the horse run free

Remember me