Professor Errol Salih Tez

Professor Errol Salih Tez passed with peace on January 10th 2021, aged 74, with his two eldest daughters close to his side. He is survived by 3 daughters and a son.

Born in Istanbul in 1947 to parents of humble origins, Errol was a gifted scientist who went on to study Electrical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University graduating at the top of his cohort. He then pursued his scientific dreams, moving with his first wife to Loughborough University in England to complete his PHD and begin his career in academia, as an Electrical Engineering lecturer. Errol retired from Loughborough University after 28 years of loyal service and became a Visiting Professor at De Montfort University. A dedicated teacher, he was always on hand to offer mentorship to all his students no matter how busy he was. 

Errol was already an eccentric idealist as a young man, leading a curiously dualistic life. By day he taught students the intricacies of electrical chip circuits; by night he hosted his fellow bearded Turks as they discussed equality, humanism, progress and the future of his homeland. He was an accomplished cook, with a limitless repertoire of the best culinary delights of the Ottoman Cuisine.

With the birth of his first daughter, he directed his energies into raising his family whilst developing technological advances in computer chips. No longer a youthful romantic, he set up his electronics business and embraced the transforming powers of commercial enterprise.

A true engineer, Errol was obsessed with how things worked. He always said that he gained the most pleasure in doing things differently i.e. being innovative. He was also a 1960’s table foosball star, developing skilful variations and techniques to the game, which are still used by budding players today. He also excelled in table tennis. After that renowned film, Forrest Gump, it was said, his table tennis performance ranked alongside to the star of the movie, Tom Hanks. 

Winning The Prince of Wales Award for Innovation for his inventions, Errol’s commitment to his research became an obsession. Working day and night with little sleep for years on end, his close friends renamed him Dracula.

In midlife, he became a faithful father to three more children whilst working full time for the University as well as single-handedly running his own R&D business and managing to generate considerably impressive IP. 

Apart from his inventions, Errol’s other love affair was with tobacco and whisky. And despite his failing health, he never repented of his convivial lifestyle. He continued, on top of giving his passionate lectures, to invent new electronic circuitry with no discernible diminution of vigour. He possessed boundless energy, a vigour for life and all things living. His thirst for knowledge for our world and beyond always limitless. A great story teller combined with a wit and humour that would never fail to captivate an audience, whether they had the IQ of a cockroach or an Einstein.

In his final years, he took solace in his gardening, growing the same beauty in his arrangements as he did in his life’s work. In the winter of his life, he exuded the warmest, the sunniest of all summer days.

He will be always remembered as a loving father, a kind teacher and accomplished scientist whose greatest passion was in discovery and in inspiring others to do the same. 

He leaves us rich in treasured memories.

This obituary was provided by Professor Tez's family.