The Rt Revd Dr John Saxbee writes:

“I DO hope you will be happy here. We are so glad you have joined us.” So the Dean welcomed new recruits to the choir, and two successive Archbishops to their enthronements in Canterbury Cathedral.

Charming, witty, wonderful with words — just some of the ways in which Robert Willis, successively Dean of Hereford and Canterbury, will be remembered. But, above all, he will be remembered for his warmth, instinctive spirituality, pastoral sensitivity, apparently unscripted preaching, and consummate musicality.

His sudden death from heart failure on 22 October, in the United States, just two years since his retirement, has prompted tributes from around the world after his daily devotional webcasts from his garden during and since the Covid pandemic went viral on the internet, supported by his feline friends’ unscripted interventions.

But long before the wonders of modern IT gave him an international profile, his warm personality and infectious faith left an indelible mark on all to whom and with whom he ministered.

Born in Bristol, he attended Kingswood Grammar School, and graduated from Warwick University. He trained at Cuddeson and was awarded a diploma in theology from Oxford, as preparation for ordination in 1972.

His curacy was served at St Chad’s, Shrewsbury, where he is still remembered as making a lasting impression on young people in the foothills of faith. The seeds of his decanal ministry were sown between 1975 and 1978 in Salisbury, where, as Vicar Choral, his liturgical gifts were nurtured, and his rapport with students at the Cathedral School was very much in evidence.

It might have been expected that this experience in cathedral ministry would determine his next move, but, in the event, he was appointed Team Rector of Tisbury, in Wiltshire, in 1978. A book celebrating eminent Tisburghers is to be published shortly. Robert will feature prominently as a devoted and gifted parish priest who brought with him the cathedral daily offices and eucharist in the parish church, and threw himself wholeheartedly into community events — especially those that made the most of his fine voice, wonderful sense of humour, and keyboard accomplishments. He is remembered for once moving in with two elderly parishioners to provide support through a difficult illness.

The Bishop sent Robert to Sudan as part of a partnership-in-mission initiative, and this was the beginning of an enduring commitment to learning from churches that were worshipping and witnessing in challenging and precarious environments overseas. When debating ministry and mission strategies back home, he would ask what these overseas partners might do, and thereby a vital new light would be brought to bear on the topic at hand.

In 1987, he was appointed Vicar of Sherborne Abbey, which had once been a cathedral church. Again, school chaplaincy was included in his responsibilities, particularly Sherborne School for Girls. It was usual in those days for two curates to be in training in such a busy benefice, and among those under Robert’s oversight was the current Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Lake. Tribute has been paid to Robert’s gentle but very clear pastoral guidance, evident spirituality, and inspiring preaching.

Robert’s leadership across the town and deanery marked him out as a candidate for preferment and, sure enough, the Archdeacon of Sherborne, the Ven. John Oliver, on becoming Bishop of Hereford, was delighted when Robert was appointed Dean of Hereford in 1993.

The appointment proved popular. Robert’s experience in cathedral ministry, including his liturgical creativity and musicianship, complemented his personal, pastoral, and intellectual qualities, even if administration was probably not his strongest suit. He inherited the fall-out from a long-running controversy relating to the future of Mappa Mundi, the largest extant medieval map depicting the whole world, which was housed in the cathedral. A proposal to sell it had been reversed when funds were raised to re-house it in a new library building. The new Dean was clearly key to the success of this project, and he preached a memorable sermon in the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a service to celebrate the opening of the new building in the Cathedral Close.

Through it all, the daily round of cathedral worship, civic duties, and staff and congregational care continued, and he always ensured welcome to visitors. The cathedral’s position as mother church of the diocese was also a priority. But, when the routine was punctuated by special events, especially those associated with the Three Choirs Festival, his rare combination of gifts came into its own.

In 1995, he was elected to represent fellow Deans in the General Synod, and he chaired the Deans’ Conference from 1999 — clear indicators of the respect and regard of his peers.

In July 2001, Robert succeeded John Simpson as Dean of Canterbury. Now, the full extent of his gifts could be in the service not only of the city and diocese of Canterbury, but also the Anglican Communion, whose members worldwide came to look upon the cathedral as their mother church also. This was something that the Dean did much to foster and encourage at the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

Archbishop Welby’s description of him as “one of the most exceptional deans of the post-war period”, and tribute to his “creativity and imagination” will be echoed both locally and globally. He was in receipt of many honours — academic, civic, and ecclesiastical, notably a Knighthood of the Order of St John.

Robert was reluctant to retire at the expected age of 70, and was granted leave to remain in post for a further five years. This added longevity to other marks of his ministry, and brought with it new challenges in rapidly changing times.

On retirement, he moved with his civil partner, Fletcher Banner, to the US, as resident fellow at Berkeley Divinity School, Yale.

After a life characterised by great faith in Christ as his companion and guide, profound spirituality, and heartfelt empathy, two things will endure as his lasting gifts to literally millions of people around the world — his hymns and, of course, those YouTube garden broadcasts.

Among his hymns, “The Kingdom is upon you” features in Hymns Ancient and Modern (New Standard), and “Earth’s fragile beauties we possess” reflects his distinctive contribution to contemporary themes. Meanwhile, the webcasts remain available on YouTube, and continue to find a following among many for whom his informal and accessible presentation has been nothing short of a revelation.