April 23, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: Eric Lee Sisler passed away recently. Eric was a long-time attorney here in Lexington but was a great deal more than that as well.
Eric came to Washington and Lee in the early 1960s. He was a standout baseball player and a student leader both on the undergraduate campus and at the Law School. Eric often told us about his tryout with the New York Yankees but that being an attorney was more his calling.
Eric had a long and successful legal career here in town. He had two separate stints as commonwealth’s attorney and was known as a vigorous and skilled prosecutor. He had a private practice as well where he helped many, many hundreds of local people with all matters of assistance. He provided not only legal work but also wisdom and compassion to the individuals whose lives he touched.
For those of us in the legal community, Eric was more than just a colleague; he was a friend. All of us had gone to Eric, at one time or another, seeking his counsel and guidance. He never hesitated to offer words of encouragement and advice and usually had a good story illustrating his point. He was a very kind man.
Eric cared deeply about our community and the legal system writ large. While he will be dearly missed by his family and so many friends, he will always provide an example of the highest ideals of the legal profession and a model of a true gentleman. H. DAVID NATKIN Lexington
