Kurt Passer, JuDr.

Kurt Passer . Mentioned here: http://www.ajr.org.uk/journalpdf/1985_april.pdf

Dr. Kurt Passer died, unexpectedly, in London from a heart attack on 10th February, a few days before his 74th birthday. He was born in February 1911 in Prague where he went to a well-known school and matriculated in 1930. He loved music and very early attained an amazing proficiency at the piano, but his parents persuaded him to study law, at the German Charles University in Prague. He passed his exams and doctorate with flying colours. In 1935, he did his two-year Czech military service, attaining the rank of 2nd lieutenant. He then became articled to a firm of solicitors, but was twice called back to the army in mobilisations. In March 1939, he emigrated to England where at first he earned his living by playing the piano in a night club. Here he met his first wife, Rosel, who unfortunately died in 1958. His parents perished in a concentration camp.

In 1941, Kurt Passer joined Anglocentrop Ltd., the Tausz family company, soon to become Sales Manager and Company Secretary. He joined the B'nai B'rith Leo Baeck Lodge in 1964 and quickly became very popular, due to his pleasant personality and the great contribution he made to the Lodge's cultural life by his lectures on many famous composers and his playing in the Leo Baeck Lodge Trio (with the late Max Streat, violin, and Paul Blumenfeld, cello). The Trio also gave much pleasure by playing to the AJR Club, the Theodor Herzl Society and other bodies. He was always ready, also as a soloist or accompanist, to give pleasure to others.

In the Lodge, he served on various committees and eventually as President in 1983/84, carrying out his duties most conscientiously, although he was already affected by illness. He also was a member of our former AJR Board. In 1959 he had married a second time, Lottie, nee Brock, and they lived in harmonious marriage for 26 years. A man who by his personality and his music brought great enjoyment to many, has gone from us and his memory will live on in our hearts. Our warm sympathy is extended to his widow.