ObituariesMembers are welcome to contribute to this page by signalling the loss of a Westminsterian, former student or staff, or by adding to existing entries |
A to Z by Surname
Baxter, Jack H, 1952-54, died December 2021 following increasingly poor health. A history teacher, Jack was well known in the world of genealogy for his authoritative index of Essex Burials 1813-1865. A fully active Methodist, Jack attended a Salvation Army hall in his later years.
Best, Michael Charles, Mike, 72-75. Retired after 14 years as Headteacher of Beaminster School, Dorset, on his 60th birthday in July 2014. Died 16th December 2021, aged 67.
Booton, Catherine Ruth "Clare", (Bradshaw), 64-67, b. September 1945, d. 16 June 2021 in Yeovil District Hospital, while living in Thorncombe, Chard, Somerset
Bradley, Mark, 1965-68, died 15th January 2022, and is survived by Hazel (Hunt), same College dates.
Enderby, Sir John Edwin, CBE, FRS, FInstP, 1951-53, born 16 Jan 1931, died 3 Aug 2021, Professor of Physics, Bristol University 1976-1996, see wikipedia entry
Galbraith, Dr Iain Baird, MA MPhil MTh (Oxon) ThD FTCL (MTh - 1999), d. 20 December 2021, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, with funeral at Lomond Parish Church, where he was organist. Fellow member of that first Scottish MTh student contingent at Westminster, Rev Dr Graham D S Deans, writes: Iain was President of the Church Service Society from 2012-2014. He was a teacher by profession, but he may be remembered more for his musical gifts as a Church Organist, in which capacity he served for over sixty years. He also had a passion for stained glass, and created a Stained Glass Room in one of the churches where he served. Dr Galbraith was a recognised authority on stained glass in Scotland and his work, which spans 40 years, was accepted into the National Archives of Scotland. He was also a Church of Scotland Elder and Reader, who played an active role in the Presbytery of Dumbarton for many years, and had the rare ability of being able to inspire so many young lives. There's an extended appreciation of his life and work in Volume 56 of the Record of the Church Service Society (pp 62-65).
Gibbon, Jeff (John Jeffrey), 1959-1961, d. 3 Oct 2019, aged 81, in Yorkshire, having retired there from his home in Barrow-in-Furness
Gratton, Richard Edward, "Eddie", 1959-61, d. 29 March 2022, aged 83, see full obituary published in The Guardian
Hadnett, Richard, "Dickie", 1998 BTh Distance Learning, died 1st August 2018 at Limerick Junction, Ireland
Hoffman, Shane Arthur Bradford, 1996-98, BTh, succumbed to Coronavirus 19th March 2020. Shane was a co-founder of West London Churches Homeless Concern.
McArdell, Michael John, 1953, died at Maldon Essex, 1st July 2019, aged 89.
Mumford, Kenneth John, 48-50, former Westminster College Governor, died 1st November 2021. Son Andrew (alumnus of Southlands) writes: Born in Bibury in 1928, Ken was brought up largely in the Black Country, where he moved from his parents’ Anglicanism to the local Methodists. Following National Service immediately after the war, in 1948 Ken went to Westminster College, London for two years to train to teach. There he enjoyed playing rugby and listening to the great Methodist preachers of the day.
Ken’s first post, in 1950, was at the Methodist School in Witney, Oxfordshire. He joined High Street Methodist Church, which was to remain his spiritual home for the rest of his life. Already a Local Preacher, he embarked on nearly 70 years as an active and respected preacher. Ken married Joyce in 1952, and in the following year the first of their three children was born.
In 1953, the Methodist School closed, and Ken was one of the staff who were appointed to the new Secondary Modern School. He and his lifelong friend Bill Patton (’48) were part of a small team of young teachers who took on the challenge of developing the ethos of a new school. He was given extra responsibilities within the school, eventually becoming Head of Lower School, as well as helping the transition to becoming a comprehensive school. At the same time, he was contributing to national working parties and committees on the teaching of Religious Education.
In 1970, a new Secondary School was planned for Carterton, serving the community around RAF Brize Norton. To his surprise, Ken was appointed as Head, and he took on the challenge of creating a new school with cutting edge ideas, especially in regard to the curriculum and to working with children who had what would become known as Special Educational Needs.
Ken left Westminster with a teaching qualification, but no degree. Early on he obtained an LCP through studying at home, which was later given degree equivalence. In 1979, the LEA seconded Ken for a year to study for a Masters Degree at the University of Sussex, an experience that he thoroughly enjoyed. He returned to Carterton for the remainder of his career, before retiring in 1986.
During this time, Ken served as a Governor of the by now Oxford-based Westminster College, and in many capacities at all levels in the Methodist Church.
Throughout his career, Ken had a motto on his desk which said ‘People Matter Most’. He lived this throughout his professional, personal and church lives. As well as his work in schools, Ken also took a close interest in youth work in the town, and was a regular contributor to ‘Talking News’, amongst other things, and was a committed member of the Rotary Club. He was voted the town’s Citizen of the Year on one occasion.
In retirement, Ken and Joyce enjoyed travel, especially to India and Nepal, and to Canada. As well as trekking in the Himalayas (including to Everest Base Camp aged 72!), Ken was a great supporter of the charity Wells for India (now WaterHarvest), and visited many of their projects in India. They also discovered Taizé, and visited 11 times.
A teacher to the end, Ken had prepared a session for the church house group he and Joyce hosted, which was due to take place the day after his sudden death on 1st November 2021. The packed church and the hundreds who viewed the funeral service online were a testament to the esteem in which he was held. Ken is very much missed by Joyce and all the family, including 22 great-grandchildren, and also by the church and wider community where he made such an impact.
Ken’s first post, in 1950, was at the Methodist School in Witney, Oxfordshire. He joined High Street Methodist Church, which was to remain his spiritual home for the rest of his life. Already a Local Preacher, he embarked on nearly 70 years as an active and respected preacher. Ken married Joyce in 1952, and in the following year the first of their three children was born.
In 1953, the Methodist School closed, and Ken was one of the staff who were appointed to the new Secondary Modern School. He and his lifelong friend Bill Patton (’48) were part of a small team of young teachers who took on the challenge of developing the ethos of a new school. He was given extra responsibilities within the school, eventually becoming Head of Lower School, as well as helping the transition to becoming a comprehensive school. At the same time, he was contributing to national working parties and committees on the teaching of Religious Education.
In 1970, a new Secondary School was planned for Carterton, serving the community around RAF Brize Norton. To his surprise, Ken was appointed as Head, and he took on the challenge of creating a new school with cutting edge ideas, especially in regard to the curriculum and to working with children who had what would become known as Special Educational Needs.
Ken left Westminster with a teaching qualification, but no degree. Early on he obtained an LCP through studying at home, which was later given degree equivalence. In 1979, the LEA seconded Ken for a year to study for a Masters Degree at the University of Sussex, an experience that he thoroughly enjoyed. He returned to Carterton for the remainder of his career, before retiring in 1986.
During this time, Ken served as a Governor of the by now Oxford-based Westminster College, and in many capacities at all levels in the Methodist Church.
Throughout his career, Ken had a motto on his desk which said ‘People Matter Most’. He lived this throughout his professional, personal and church lives. As well as his work in schools, Ken also took a close interest in youth work in the town, and was a regular contributor to ‘Talking News’, amongst other things, and was a committed member of the Rotary Club. He was voted the town’s Citizen of the Year on one occasion.
In retirement, Ken and Joyce enjoyed travel, especially to India and Nepal, and to Canada. As well as trekking in the Himalayas (including to Everest Base Camp aged 72!), Ken was a great supporter of the charity Wells for India (now WaterHarvest), and visited many of their projects in India. They also discovered Taizé, and visited 11 times.
A teacher to the end, Ken had prepared a session for the church house group he and Joyce hosted, which was due to take place the day after his sudden death on 1st November 2021. The packed church and the hundreds who viewed the funeral service online were a testament to the esteem in which he was held. Ken is very much missed by Joyce and all the family, including 22 great-grandchildren, and also by the church and wider community where he made such an impact.
Page, Maurice, 1951, died 31st March 2021.
Sayers, Frank, 44-48, died late April 2022, funeral May 18th.
Sloman, Andrew P, Andy, 75-78. Many will have read the tributes on the Westminster College facebook page, and on Andy's own page. There is a further tribute at Tring Cricket Club. He died 3rd November 2021.
Staves, Philip, Phil, 56-58. Died 7th November 2021, at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, aged 85.
Sweet, Alan Richard Lobb, 1954, died 16th January 2022 aged 89, after a period of ill health.
Weller, Elizabeth, 1950-6 Dec 2021, Liz Long, 68-72, N House & P House. Husband Graham writes: Elizabeth had been battling cancer for over a year and sadly succumbed just before Christmas to a particularly aggressive form of the disease.
After graduating (myself in Engineering at Loughborough and Elizabeth at Westminster), we married and moved to London. Elizabeth taught initially in Isleworth, at Heathland High School in Hounslow, and later at South Lee School in Suffolk. We raised a family of three boys, two of whom have taught both here in the UK and in China. We have lived in Devon since retirement, where Liz was an avid gardener, and restored a much neglected garden to its former glory. . . . wonderful memories . . . when we were undergrads, exploring the spires and environs of Oxford and some of the pubs of course.
After graduating (myself in Engineering at Loughborough and Elizabeth at Westminster), we married and moved to London. Elizabeth taught initially in Isleworth, at Heathland High School in Hounslow, and later at South Lee School in Suffolk. We raised a family of three boys, two of whom have taught both here in the UK and in China. We have lived in Devon since retirement, where Liz was an avid gardener, and restored a much neglected garden to its former glory. . . . wonderful memories . . . when we were undergrads, exploring the spires and environs of Oxford and some of the pubs of course.
Wheeler, Eric A, 1952, died at Portsmouth in late 2021
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