Canterbury Christ Church University was deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis DL on 22nd October 2024, former Dean of Canterbury, from 2001 to 2022 and Honorary Fellow of the University.

Educated at the University of Warwick and then at Oxford, Dr Willis was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1972 and a priest in 1973. He ministered in Shrewsbury, Salisbury, Tisbury and Sherborne Abbey before being instituted as Dean of Hereford Cathedral in 1992, and later as Dean of Canterbury.

After very many years of dedicated service to the Church of England and having given so much to others, Dr Willis was well-known and highly respected within the Anglican community across the world. He was also a great friend and long-time supporter of Canterbury Christ Church, and was made an Honorary Fellow in 2004. In particular, Dr Willis helped foster strong a working relationship between the University and Canterbury Cathedral. He will be very much remembered with great fondness and missed by all his friends and colleagues across the University community. The University extends sincere condolences to Dr Willis’ family and friends at this sad time.

 

Image credit: Canterbury Cathedral

 

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