Tributes for Melton Rotarian who escaped from the Nazis

Eric Sylt, a Melton Rotarian and family man who has passed away aged 81 EMN-201108-100612001

Eric Sylt went on to have a successful career in education as well as being a prominent local Rotarian and Freemason.

His life was so nearly cut short, though, after being born in Vienna in September 1938 just a year before the war started.

He was aged just two when his parents were forced to flea with him from Austria thanks to help from the Quakers and the family made a new life in Cheshire.

The late Eric Sylt (left) with Rotary colleagues, from left, Carol Scarborough, Robert Asquith, Andrew Leaver taking part in a litter pick at Melton Country Park in 2012
PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-201108-101349001 — The late Eric Sylt (left) with Rotary colleagues, from left, Carol Scarborough, Robert Asquith, Andrew Leaver taking part in a litter pick at Melton Country Park in 2012 PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-201108-101349001

Jane Whitmore, Eric’s daughter, told the Melton Times: “The Germans were rounding up Jews to start with and they then started looking for anyone with Jewish links.

“Because his father was part-Jewish the family had to escape - they were smuggled out and if they hadn’t been the whole family would have been executed.”

Eric was raised and educated in Sandbach and went on to Alsager Teacher Training College, qualifying to teach at The Winsford Grammer School.

He eventually moved to Asfordby in 1970 and then Melton after landing himself a job at the newly-built Soar Valley Community College in Leicester.

Music teacher Mirander Willder and members of Melton's St Francis Primary School Choir with the late Eric Sylt, of Melton Rotary. The choir was runner-up in the Sing Up Melton competition in 2011
PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-201108-101438001 — Music teacher Mirander Willder and members of Melton's St Francis Primary School Choir with the late Eric Sylt, of Melton Rotary. The choir was runner-up in the Sing Up Melton competition in 2011 PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-201108-101438001

Starting out as a PE teacher, when he especially loved trampolining, he worked his way up to become vice-principal of the college, serving 27 years in the role before retiring.

Eric was a loving husband for 57 years to Rosalie and had four children - Martin and Bridget, who both passed away at young ages, plus Jane and Mark.

He was a big community man and helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities and causes over several decades.

Eric was a founder member of the Melton Mowbray Belvoir Rotary Club in 1984 and played a very active role.

Eric Sylt, a Melton Rotarian and family man who has passed away aged 81 EMN-201108-100601001

He served as president in 2003-04 and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for his prominent service in 2011.

With education running through his veins, he excelled in organising competitions for young and gifted children from all age groups.

These included Young Designer, Young Chef, Young Musician and, one of Eric’s favourites, Youth Speaks.

Eric also hosted and was an interpreter - through being able to speak German - for the visits with twinned Melton Mowbray Belvoir Rotary Club town of Coesfeld in Germany.

Croxton Kerrial School choir, winners of Sing Up Melton 2011 with teacher Rachel Davidson, left, Karen Middleton of sponsors The Melton building society, the late Eric Sylt of Melton Rotary and the then Melton Times editor Michael Cooke PHOTO: Tim Williams EMN-201108-101533001

Families across the town will have seen him every Christmas time as one of the elves with Santa’s Sleigh as it was pulled by tractor for the popular annual Rotary fundraiser, which raises thousands of pounds for charities,

Eric was also a Freemason with The Rutland Lodge, where he was awarded the role of Charity Steward, managing funds raised and then distributing the money to causes.

He would welcome new lodge members and often gave charity talks to his fellow members.

Eric enjoyed family life and gatherings, he was a keen gardener and also a very enthusiastic photographer, often being found behind a camera rather than in front of it.

Daughter Jane added: “Dad was very sociable with an unwaivering cheerfulness and was able to speak to anyone on any level.

“He was an exceptional listener and often a man of few words but those words were all that was needed.

“He has been described as a life enhancer and is a very sad loss to family, friends and organisations, who will be poorer for his passing.”

Eric’s funeral will be a private interment at The Willows Natural Burial Ground, at South Croxton, on Monday at noon.

Friends and colleagues are invited to pay their last respects by waiting in Warwick Road, Melton, at 11.20am, when the cortege, organised by Richard Barnes Funeral Directors, passes slowly past his home.