RIP Robert Willis

The former Dean of Canterbury Cathedral and founder of the “Garden Congregation” the Very Rev. Robert Willis – The following from The Church Times.

THE former Dean of Canterbury the Very Revd Robert Willis died “suddenly and peacefully” in the United States on Tuesday. He was 77.

In a message to Berkeley Divinity School, Yale, on Wednesday, where Dean Willis was a resident Fellow, his partner, Fletcher Banner, said: “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you all of Dean Robert’s passing. After a brief illness whilst at Yale in America, Robert suffered heart failure and died last night.

“Robert was a man of great faith and intellect whose greatest joy was to share his life with others. This has been particularly so since we left Canterbury and have been welcomed elsewhere all over the world.”

Robert Willis was ordained deacon in 1972 and priest in 1973, having trained at Cuddesdon Theological College. He served his title at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury, in Lichfield diocese. He was a school chaplain at Cranborne Chase in Wiltshire, diocese of Salisbury, from 1978 to 1992. In the same period, he was Team Rector of St John the Baptist, Tisbury, until 1987, then Vicar of Sherbourne until 1992.

That year, he was appointed Dean of Hereford until 2001, when he became Dean of Canterbury.

Dean Willis retired, after two decades in office, on the eve of his 75th birthday in February 2022 — a mandate that he described as “a great disappointment” (News, 18 February). The standard retirement age for clergy is 70, but the Archbishop of Canterbury granted Dean Willis special permission to continue in office until 75, the maximum age permitted by canon law.

Towards the end of his 21 years in Canterbury, he become known for his garden ministry during the first national lockdown during the pandemic, when Canterbury Cathedral — like other churches — was forced to close to worshippers. The initiative was his own, supported by his partner, as a way of not breaking the 1400-year tradition of the daily Office at the cathedral.

The popularity of Dean Willis’s broadcasts, which have a dedicated YouTube channel, took off thanks to the frequent impromptu appearances of his cats, Leo and Tiger, and other members of the Deanery menagerie. This continued in his retirement. His last broadcast was on Monday.

Mr Banner continued: “Robert has been my partner in life and ministry for more than 20 wonderful years. Like me I am sure you will carry his memory in your hearts.”

His funeral is to take place in New Haven, and a memorial service is to be held next year at Salisbury Cathedral.

[Ken Gray writes] I have previously written about Dean Robert and the Garden Congregation here and here.  His life-saving influence on my own life is incalculable. Rest in peace Dean amongst the beauty and inspiration you shared with so many while with us here on earth.

Lest we forget, here is a famous clip from when the cat stole milk during a broadcast from the deanery garden. Enjoy.