Longtime Humboldt newsman and personality Dave Silverbrand passed away this morning at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. He was 76 years old.

If you’ve lived in Humboldt for any length of time, there have been numerous occasions when Dave’s kindly spirit has shone out at you from your screen of choice. For the past 30 years, he’s held down reporting jobs for a number of television news operations, most recently with North Coast News. While a good portion of his career was spent in an anchor’s chair, in recent years Dave’s reports have focused on human interest stories highlighting people and events he’d run across in his daily Humboldt life. His final report for NCN — a visit to a drive-thru nativity scene in Eureka — was filed only two weeks ago. You can watch it below. 

In addition to his onscreen exploits, Silverbrand was also an active presence in the IRL Humboldt community. For years he acted as emcee of Oyster Fest’s oyster calling contest. Among other projects, Silverbrand found time to pen an autobiography and a stage play. In recent years he even offered his services as a wedding officiant — in Spanish, if you so desired. 

On a personal note, Dave was always beloved by all of us here at the Lost Coast Outpost. He will be missed. 

Above: Silverbrand shares moments from the many encounters he had with President George Bush

Dave Silverbrand’s role in the film Outbreak remembered.