I share the sad news that Rodolfo Silva, a long-time OTS friend and supporter, passed away on July 10, 2024, at the age of 91, leaving behind his wife Margaret, his son Carlos and wife Irene, and two grandsons. Rodolfo was born in Costa Rica and initially trained at the school of engineering of the University of Costa Rica. He later attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he completed a master’s degree in regional planning. There, he met his wife, Margaret Nealey, to whom he was married for 65 years.
He was twice appointed Minister of Public Works (MOPT), first by President Figueres Ferrer in 1971, and later by his son, President Figueres Olsen in 1996. Rodolfo was also Costa Rica’s Ambassador to the United States, Canada, and the Organization of American States at different points in time during his career. He was also appointed to the directorship of the IDB. Rodolfo had strong leadership abilities that became evident through his performance as a public servant, combined with excellent human relations. He insisted that the country should be ambitious and think big – “pensar en grande” – in many of its commitments and enterprises. Hence, he received a presidential appointment by former President Laura Chinchilla to an exclusive “Junta de Notables,” a dozen outstanding individuals created to provide guidance to the government in 2012 in the face of new emerging challenges.
After his retirement, Silva set to write down his memories of many decades leading and supporting initiatives that he felt would improve human well-being and benefit our country, particularly the natural world. Many of his friends were there, in 2022, when he finally presented his book to a full auditorium: Luchas Ganadas, Batallas Perdidas (“Fights Won, Battles Lost”), published by UNED. Early on, he understood the mission of OTS and recognized the vital link OTS plays in building capacity and facilitating cutting-edge research at tropical field stations. He was active with the OTS Board of Visitors and with Conservation International.
Rodolfo will be missed by many of us for different reasons, no less for a great and enduring sense of humor he usually carried with him everywhere.
Pedro León, Ph. D.
Academia Nacional de Ciencias de Costa Rica
Note from the Editor: Watch an interview with Rodolfo Silva, filmed on the occasion of OTS’ 50th Anniversary, in which he looks back on his past association with the Costa Rica government as well as OTS.