A packed and full-throated congregation of family, colleagues and friends of Rev Dr Richard Turnbull (who died on 26 November 2025) gathered at his funeral service at St Mary Magdalene, Woodstock on a very wet Friday 18 December.
Richard had known for some weeks that the recurrence of his breast cancer was terminal. His mother had died from the same condition when he was 18. He had carefully planned the details of the service.
Three tributes were given which between them brought out a different side to Richard from that which some had experienced on occasion in his professional life.
Dr Barry Evans, a retired consultant physician, a friend for over 50 years, spoke first. He and Richard had met at a South London Baptist church where Richard, who had qualified first as an accountant, was the treasurer. Richard lodged for a while in Barry and Gwen’s home, where their five-year-old son David knew him as "the man living next door to the bathroom."
Dr Evans recalled Richard’s enthusiasm for Mrs Thatcher’s economics and noted that he reset the dials on economics and the Christian faith. On one visit he asked Richard if he could bring a copy of The Guardian into the house and Richard replied: “Bring it in as long as you take it away with you.”
Ciaran Kelly, the newly appointed CEO of the Christian Institute, of which Richard had been chairman, said that Richard loved the Church of England and did his best to stem its decline. For those growing up in Richard’s South Yorkshire village, there was little beyond mining for employment or aspiration. Richard developed work on Lord Shaftesbury, the Clapham Sect and Natural Law. “Above everything he spoke of Jesus with earthly realism.”
His daughters Katie and Sarah recalled him as a family man. With Caroline he had a son and three daughters. Overrun by girls he formed a team with the only other male, their son Matt, whom Richard referred to as "the boy wonder.” He was “not a warm, fluffy cuddly Dad,” but one with practical sage advice when it came to financial issues. He was always there when needed, and generous with his time and energy. Scrabble and crosswords brought out his competitive side. He and Caroline welcomed hordes of teenagers into their home. With four grandchildren he developed a reputation for storytelling. He loved his family and in his last year was given a family photo book for his birthday. “We will see him again when Jesus makes all things new.”
The Rev James Leggett, a friend, minister of St James Church Ryde in the Anglican Mission in England, gave the sermon, expounding Psalm 121. Richard’s early death at the age of 65 prompted many questions. While verse 7 promises that "'the Lord will keep you from all evil' we have lost a dear friend,” James said. Deuteronomy 29v29 reads: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children for ever." Some answers we will never have in this life. But the Lord does not put his phone on silent overnight: "He who watches over you will not slumber." He can be called on anytime. He hears and helps us.
Jesus could have said, like the Psalmist: "Where does my help come from?" But his response was: "Not my will, but yours be done," in obedience to the Father. He was kept by the Father. The result was resurrection. “There will be no empty seats in heaven – everyone God calls, He will bring home.”
Richard still had a lot to give but accepted the will of God. At the end he said: “It is time to go to glory.”
Chris Sugden has been married for 52 years to Elaine, a retired consultant cancer doctor, with three married children and nine grandchildren. He leads the PhD Programme of the Oxford Centre for Mission and Public Life with Stellenbosch University and is an associate minister at St Andrew’s Dean Court, Oxford.
