Erich Zeller was a German figure skater

Figure skating

Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...

 and figure skating coach.

Erich Zeller as a skater represented the club Rot-Weiß-Berlin

Berlin

Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...

 and became 1942 German champion. He studied mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...

. In 1942 he was forced to enter the Wehrmacht

Wehrmacht

The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...

. His figure skating career was destroyed by World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

.

In 1945 Erich Zeller participated in ice shows.

In 1956 his coaching career began. His first pupil was Hans-Jürgen Bäumler

Hans-Jürgen Bäumler

Hans-Jürgen Bäumler is a German pair skater, actor, singer and television host.- Biography :...

. Erich Zeller became the most successful coach in West Germany

West Germany

West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....

. Among his other students were Marika Kilius

Marika Kilius

Marika Kilius is a two-time Olympic silver medalist and two-time World champion in pair skating....

, Dagmar Lurz

Dagmar Lurz

Dagmar Lurz is a former German figure skater. She is the 1980 Olympic bronze medalist.-Biography:...

 and Norbert Schramm

Norbert Schramm

Norbert Schramm is a German figure skater. He is a two-time European Champion, two time World silver medalist, and a three-time German national champion.-Biography:...

. From 1970 to 1985 he was national coach of West Germany for figure skating (Eiskunstlauf-Bundestrainer). He also was once president of the world coach association.

Erich Zeller wrote figure skating books:

• Meine kleine Eiskunstlaufschule (My Little Figure-Skating-School), published 1969
• Eiskunstlauf für Fortgeschrittene (Figure Skating For Advanced Skaters), published 1982

Single skating

Event	1941	1942
German Championships German Figure Skating Championships The German Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Germany. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....	5th	1st