Beloved SF writer, advocate, diehard Grateful Dead fan dies at 66

SAN FRANCISCO ( KRON ) – Steve Silberman, an acclaimed science writer who championed autism rights, an ever-so-passionate Grateful Dead fan, and a beloved member of the San Francisco community, passed away on Wednesday. He was 66.

Silberman’s husband, Keith Karraker, announced the death on a social media post on Thursday.

“It’s my very sad duty to inform you all that @stevesilberman.bsky.social, my wonderful husband and best friend, passed away last night,” Keith wrote. “Please take a moment to remember his kindness, humor, wisdom, and love.”

Silberman was a longtime science writer for Wired, where he pioneered autism rights through articles like “The Geek Syndrome,” which focused on autism in Silicon Valley. Wired aside, Silberman was a known writer whose work was featured in many major publications around the country.

He also wrote his acclaimed book, “NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity,” in 2015.

Despite being a New York native, Liebermann called the Bay Area home since graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, and later moving to San Francisco after falling in love with the Grateful Dead in the late 70s.

Silberman was a big deadhead. He not only admired the Grateful Dead from a distance, but he worked on liner notes for some of the Bay Area band’s records as recently as this year.

David Lemieux, the band’s manager, said he met Silberman in 1999.

When I started working for the Grateful Dead in 1999, Steve Silberman was around a lot, working on the So Many Roads boxed set throughout the summer. He was so kind, warm, and welcoming to me every time we saw each other. He was genuinely respectful. One of the brightest lights I’ve met over the past 25 years. His intelligence and generosity were unmatched. Steve, you will be missed by so many. Everyone who met you or corresponded with you loves you.

David Lemieux said on X

Silberman wrote a book titled, “A Taste of Salt” that is set to release by 2025, his X profile said.

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