A few days ago I found out that Rev Tim Mullins died in July. It was a poignant moment to see it on the Stowe website. ”He’s dead!” I ejaculated when I saw the notice of his demise.

How will I remember Tim? Kind is the first word that springs to mind. I never saw his patience fray. I remember his lanky and slightly stooped 6’4” frame, his snaggle tooth, his baldness and his ever present spectacles. I recall his reedy and slightly croaky but always gentle voice. Decades later I can remember some of his exact words.

Mr. Mullins was diagnosed with a brain tumor in late 2021. He had treatment for it and it caused a thin man’s face to swell horribly. Mr. Mullins faced his death with his characteristic courage, good humour, acceptance and zealous Christian faith. He was eager to meet Jesus in whom he so passionately believed. His stoicism was uncanny. He was a credit to be priesthood. He was a Christian in the finest sense and was very popular even with those who totally disbelieved in religion.

Tim was born in the United Kingdom in 1959. His father was a doctor who had been born in South Africa. Tim’s paternal ancestors were presumably Irish.

The Mullins family belonged to the Church of England. Tim was the youngest of four. One of his elder brothers was Down syndrome. There was a vaccination that was offered to the family for the Down syndrome boy. The doctor suggested that they might not want to have it for the child because perhaps they did not want their child to live. But the parents said that their child must be vaccinated.

Tim attended Sherborne School. He was academic and good at sports: particularly hockey. He applied to Oxford without success. He went to Durham and read theology. At the freshers’ fair people were having the most terrible row about abortion. Should it be permitted or not?

Undergraduates were not allowed up the tower of the cathedral at exam time lest they fling themselves off.

Upon graduation Tim became a social worker. He worked in north-east England which he said was not a book culture. He met many single mothers who had been abandoned by their boyfriends whilst pregnant.

Later Tim lived in a centre for young offenders in London. He was infinitely patient and forgiving. He also visited people in prison. He recalled meeting an Old Etonian who was in prison who put on a cockney accent because he did not wish to seem like a judge.

Tim went for ordination. He read for it at Oxford. He was ordained in the late 1980s. He was fairly conservative theologically. Tim was against homosexuality and said ”Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve.” He said there were sound reasons to oppose women priests but he accepted them when they came.

Tim met a nurse about his age. They wed. He was against pre marital sex. They went on honeymoon to South Africa. Many people gave them grief for this saying it propped up apartheid. He remarked that had they gone to an oppressive country like the USSR no one would have batted and eyelid.

The couple was blessed with a daughter and a brace of sons. He must have been a magnificent father.

Tim became the Lower Chaplain of Eton in 1995. He took over after an ebullient and unconventional American named Chip Bristol. Tim was more conformist but was not dull. He was courteous, sensitive and liked by all.

The first class Tim ever taught was at Eton. A boy asked him if he had taught before. He bit his lower lip and gurned ”no” uncertainly.

Tim spoke about the ethics of war. He was also realistic saying that if people signed up for the army they had to fight wars they did not agree with. In class he affirmed the church’s rule against fornication.

The manner in which Tim taught was fairly innovative. He had us write and perform skits.

Mr. Mullins told us he had seen grown men quake in terror from summoning up the devil and he had performed exorcisms.

We drove to Walsingham. We chatted on the way. There was a song from the Bible – a time to die and all that.

Tim spoke of dinky couples – double income no kids yet.

Tim used to run Bible studies classes at his house once a week. Boys were free to drop in for tea and read the Bible and discuss it. He spoke about fidelity to one’s wife. He hinted at sexual matters and said that a couple should only do something if both of them wanted to.

Tim invited his GCSE class to his house for a barbecue at the end of the year. One chap forgot and he phoned the house for him ”Tim Mullins here” he introduced himself.

In A level Tim taught about deontology, teleology and Bentham. He taught about contention ethical issues. He was aware that abortion was a very delicate issue for some and sought to soothe them. Mr. Mullins lectured and the pupils took notes.

There was some confusion after Wilcockson’s lesson should someone go to Mullins or not? A youth did not. This semi deliberate skipping led to Mullins pretend shooting the miscreant.

One unkind boy said TDM was tedium.

when one young rogue was almost booted out Tim received this boy back after suspension with kindness. He asked, ”has tigger lost his bounce?”

When it came to ministry Tim was superb. The social worker in him came out. He was very helpful to boys whose parents going through painful divorces.

After 10 highly successful year at Eton he went to Radley as chaplain.

Later Tim was at a church in Chelsea – the one near Thatcher’s house.

Tim was chaplain at Stowe. He was a rip roaring success. Even non Christians warmed to him. He was upbeat, compassionate, non judgmental and outgoing. Tim was approachable and warm.

No one had a bad word to say for him. he was never rude to others. Having inadvertently offended someone he would apologise.

He was there at the valedictory dinner for A level at Wilcockson’s house.

At my college he arranged for a chap to visit me and try to keep me going in the faith.

After years I emailed Tim. I met him in London. I had dropped into his church in Chelsea in 2014 or so. He took me for luncheon. Has a former pupil taken you to the Savoy Grill. No you are the first – he quipped.

On another occasion we went for tea near his house. We spoke to the German. If she came in the door I would propose marriage on the spot I said. The door opened. He said he had thought that would be her.

That was the last I heard of him. I wrote to him a little in 2015.

Tim was a lovely chap and I miss him. I was privileged to have known him. He brightened the lives of all he met. He led a moral life. I wish there were a heaven for him to go to. I wish we could meet again and I could tell him how much I appreciated everything about him. I should have sought his help more in times of trouble.