Top Spin

TRIBUTES

                                           STEVE  ZANKER

     Steve  died  on 19th March after a long illness  which he  fought with his remarkable courage and tenacity.

     I first met Steve at Leicester University  in the late sixties  playing table tennis. As a local, he knew  the  Leicester scene and played for Leicester Electricity unlike me who played for Leicester University then. We both eventually  lived in  the west of the City  and  our elder daughters  became friends at school

We both played Leicester  and District League – Steve being  much better than me !- and  enjoyed our sport.  It is recalled  that he  had a particularly good backhand.

    In 1983/84  , Steve  became Secretary of  Leicester Electricity  -his only club -  and remained in that role until 2004/05.

    In  1984/5,   Steve  became a Divisional Secretary  and then was elected  Vice – Chairman of the League  in 1991-2 when I was elected  Chairman.  He remained in that role  as a great and thoughtful support being  particularly skilled in handling appeals.  He succeeded me as Chairman in 2001/ 02   and  held that role for 3 years  before in turn  being succeeded by Peter Wilson- the current Chairman.

     As a school teacher, he combined  2  of his interests in acting as the County Schools  Secretary running  county  schools  competitions annually  in the 80's and 90's while  also acting as one of the Schools and Junior League organising team  in the 1990's  with competitions at Knighton Park and Rushey Mead. He also supported  the Closed  Championships annually

  Steve  was elected a Vice – President of the League in  2004  recognising his  contribution over many years  -a contribution also recognised by Table Tennis England with the Maurice Goldstein Merit Award.  He was  awarded the Phil Reid Memorial Trophy   in  1998/99  for outstanding services to the League   and the AF Hayes Trophy for Secretary of the Year twice -in 1991/92 and 2004/05 on his retirement.

     Steve  was a man of great integrity, thoughtfulness and clear thinking;  we were privileged to know him .

  Our   deep condolences go to his widow  Jan , their children  Jo and Becky and their families.

  The  funeral will be held at St Annes Church , Letchworth Road  , Western Park , Leicester

 LE3  6FN   at 12-30pm on Tuesday April 12th  followed by cremation at Gilroes at 2pm

   Donations to LOROS  and tributes  in Steve's memory may be placed on the MUCH LOVED website  giving the name Stephen Zanker.

      Mike Smith