Obituaries

Allan Dodd

Mansfield College Bursar (2011-19)

1954 – 2021

It was a sad moment, at the University’s Encaenia Ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre on 22 September 2021, to hear Allan Dodd’s name read out in the in memoriam list of recently departed senior University figures. Allan’s death, so quickly after his retirement, came far too soon, and our sympathy for his beloved wife Vicki was matched by our own sense of loss.

Allan was the Bursar at Mansfield between 2011 and 2019. He had a truly transformative effect on the College’s fabric, finances and fortunes. Pre-Allan Mansfield and post-Allan Mansfield were different places: and the changes he made were all for the better.

As our former Principal, Baroness Helena Kennedy says, he was ‘a marvellous Bursar’, her ‘right arm’ with a vital role in the development of Mansfield. His contribution to the College was immense. How hard he worked to take Mansfield forward, and how successful were his efforts!

The fruit of his work is all around those of us lucky enough to live and work here. Our lives are immeasurably better than they would have been without him. His achievements were legion: not only the major works of creating new kitchens and atrium space and transforming the College Chapel into a humming Dining Hall as well as a chapel and concert venue; not only the negotiations and project management involved in bringing the Hands Building and Bonavero Institute of Human Rights into being; not only his inspired redesign of the gardens, or overseeing the successful organ appeal, or the restoration of the ‘True Vine’ tapestry in hall; or arranging the installation of a major bronze statue of Eleanor Roosevelt. His contribution to Mansfield was human as well as material.

As one senior Fellow said to me:

‘He was a superb Bursar, and so much of the nature and smartness of the fabric of the College, gardens and new buildings, is down to him. But also a very goodhearted and kindly man, and utterly straightforward… [with] an inner honesty – and he could be very funny… He really liked things being taken care of properly and not neglected, and that is the attitude he had about the fabric of the College. He did so much for making the place look loved and cared for, rather than just noble but a bit down at heel.’

Allan did the work of three bursars in many larger and richer colleges. As well as his contribution to our physical environment through his strong project management skills, he used his financial acumen to put Mansfield on a far stronger, more selfconfident footing than ever before, with its head held high. Guy Hands, a major College donor, wrote: ‘Allan was a wonderful man, and we are grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing him. His contribution to Mansfield and the legacy he leaves behind will be long-lasting and impact many students for generations to come.’

His widow, Vicki, wrote to me in the days immediately after his death about how much Mansfield meant to Allan. As she said, and as was plain to anyone being shown around it by him, the Hands Building was ‘his pride and joy’. She added:

‘He so hoped that getting the all-important extra income from both the Institute and student rooms would give Mansfield a future. He was so excited about that… It was brilliant to watch that bit of land and no money turn, day by day, from a vision to an exciting working environment. I know that he did so much more, all trying to get Mansfield a secure future. I know the extraordinary dedication he put into all he did there.’

And so too do his colleagues. Allan moved College closer to a sustainable footing which it had never before enjoyed. If Allan had not done his work as well as he had, Mansfield would not have survived the Covid crisis. It is as simple as that.

Allan was also a great contributor to the life of the College. He and Vicki were committed supporters of College music; the restoration of the organ, completed in the summer of 2021, owes a lot to Allan and Vicki’s backing. He was an advocate of Mansfield sport too, and put in place the first dedicated Blues fund to support elite sportswomen and men. He really cared about the needs of students, and ministered College hardship funds discreetly and sensitively to ensure that students were not overcome by worry or forced to leave as a result of financial anxiety. He also sat on the University hardship committee.

At heart, Allan was very kind. One former graduate student, who is blind, could not return to his home abroad during his first

Oxford Christmas. He remembers Allan making sure that he had a ‘household’ to look after him over the holidays, to cook his Christmas dinner, and to pull crackers with him. We were very touched and grateful that Allan’s widow, Vicki – also a close friend of the College – set up a generous fund for students in hardship, because he knew, and she knew, that sometimes ‘the right funding at the right time could make the difference’.

Allan didn’t like tributes, and he certainly didn’t like a fuss to be made about him (when, in his final Governing Body meeting, there was sustained applause, he positively blushed!). But he did love Mansfield, and Mansfield loved him. We wish he could know how greatly we appreciate his work for the College, and with what gratitude and warmth he will be remembered here.

We mourn his untimely death, and we will miss him.

Helen Mountfield QC, Principal Mansfield College

Geoffrey Fuller

MA Jurisprudence, 1980

3 March 1961 – 10 January 2021

Geoff was an experienced and highly respected legal practitioner and author. He worked at City law firm, Allen & Overy, for 37 years and was a partner for 26 of them. His clients and colleagues valued his ability to analyse complex legal issues with speed,

precision and clarity and to apply the law with commercial practicality to multifaceted financial transactions.

In a setting in which solicitors tend to develop relatively narrow specialisms, he was known as a hugely versatile lawyer, developing his practice from advising corporate trustees on international bond issues to advising banks structuring complex finance products. He later developed expertise in advising public bodies on accessing the capital markets. As well as banks, his clients included HM Treasury, universities and housing associations.

Geoff was the author of two leading legal texts, Corporate Borrowing, Law and Practice, now in its fifth edition, and The Law and Practice of International Capital Markets, for which he was in the process of preparing a fourth edition at the time of his death. He was also the author of the chapter on corporate lending in GoreBrowne on Companies and co-author of McKnight and Zakrzewski on the Law of Loan Agreements and Syndicated Lending. His writing was carried out in addition to the demands of his busy City practice.

Geoff was born and grew up in Kent and was educated at Borden Grammar School in Sittingbourne. Gaining a place to read Jurisprudence at Mansfield was a hugely significant turning point for him and one of which he remained deeply appreciative. Geoff always spoke of his time at Oxford with enthusiasm and pride, from playing croquet on the lawn at Mansfield and the deep friendships he made, to the academic training that inspired and informed his legal career. It was with a great sense of fulfilment that he was able to return to the College and participate in the work of the Development Board. He also relished using the Bodleian when researching and updating his books, and was honoured to represent his firm on the Council of Benefactors as a result of Allen & Overy’s endowment of a Chair in Corporate Law and an Equality Officer role within the Law Faculty.

So many of the tributes paid to Geoff refer to his sense of fun, his generosity, his kindness and his wry wit. He loved to entertain friends over good food and excellent wine, but he was a quiet man and happiest when his mind was active. Weekends could not begin before the Times cryptic crossword had been completed. His interests were wide ranging, from architectural history to politics; he relished the acquisition and application of knowledge. Geoff had a great love of all kinds of music and an especial appreciation of choral works and opera. He supported his local team, Arsenal, and true to character, was working on building his knowledge of the game and the team, which he did not feel was adequate.

Anyone who had met Geoff in the last 14 years would be left in no doubt about what was the proudest of all his achievements: our twins, Ellie and Matthew. We all miss him very much but like to think of him telling us about his latest discoveries, planning interesting activities and coming up with quizzes and jokes for us.

Liz Fuller

Revd Anthony Green MA

Theology, 1940

28 April 1922 – 13 December 2019

Throughout his life, Tony spoke warmly about his time at Mansfield, studying under

Revd Dr Nathaniel Micklem in preparation for ordination as a Congregational (later United Reformed Church) minister. He was ordained in 1946 at Union Church Mill Hill, and at the time of his death, at the age of 97, he was the longest serving URC minister. He had a strong preaching and pastoral ministry and indeed, was exercising this until almost the end of his life.

Revd Judith Satchell

Revd Dr John Muddiman

1947 – 5 December 2020

John Muddiman was a gentle giant in the field of New Testament Studies and the community of Mansfield College. He first came up to Oxford in 1965 as an open scholar in Classics & Theology at Keble College, where he took a first-class honours degree. According to The New Testament and the Church (ed Groves and Barton), a festschrift presented to John in 2015, his background in Classics & Theology gave him ‘an intuitive understanding of the world of the New Testament and an ability to convey it to others’.

After completing his degree at Keble, John spent two years at Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he took a starred first in Part Three of the Theology Tripos (now called an MPhil), and a year in Leuven (1971/72) with the World Council of Churches. John returned to Oxford to serve as the Hastings Rashdall Research Fellow and Assistant Chaplain at New College (1972-74), Greek Tutor for the Theology Faculty (1976-83), Tutor, Director of Studies, and Vice-Principal of St Stephen’s House (1976-83), Chaplain of St Hilda’s College (1981-83), and a Mansfield College Lecturer and New Testament Tutor (1980-83). In the midst of these posts, John completed his DPhil in 1976 under the supervision of George Caird at Mansfield on the fasting controversy in Mark’s Gospel.

In 1983, John was appointed as Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Nottingham, a post he held for almost eight years. He returned to Mansfield in 1990 – much to the delight of Fellows and friends – to the post named after his supervisor: the GB Caird Fellow. In 1992, he was given a joint appointment in the Theology Faculty of the University alongside his Mansfield fellowship.

As recounted at the time of John’s retirement in 2012, few people gave so much to Mansfield and with such good humour as John. Out of loyalty to his Faculty and College, he took on much more than his share of administrative responsibilities. During his time at Mansfield, he served the College as Tutor for Admissions (1992-97), Co-director of the Oxford Centre for Environment, Ethics & Society (1992-96), and Tutor for Welfare (2012); and the Theology Faculty and University as Chair of the Faculty Board (2000-02), Chair of the Faculty (2011/12) and University Assessor (2009/10). In fact, as Mansfield had only recently become a College within the University, this was the first time the College elected an Assessor or Proctor, and John was the first Mansfield Fellow to serve in this role. As colleagues recall, his calm and measured approach equipped him well for this, though he also sought to innovate imaginatively in the interests of students.

John’s academic interests extended beyond College and Faculty, and he was also involved as a Governor both of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies and the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies; served on the Europaeum Committee; and on the Permanent Private Hall and Recognised Independent Centres committees. In meetings, John is remembered by colleagues as never dominant, but always judicious, gentle, and constructive.

Within Mansfield, John was widely regarded by students across years and disciplines. He is remembered for many social gatherings in his College room on a Sunday evening, graduation dinners and termly meals of pizza and garlic bread in his home; the warm greetings shared across the Quad as he arrived each day wearing his bike helmet; and, of course, the image of John sitting on a bench smoking his pipe. His compassion and kindness spilled over to students and colleagues alike. As one former JCR President recounts, when she became President, John ‘voluntarily consulted me on the grace to make a slight (and Muslim-friendly) amendment to [what] I’d have to read out – Jesus Christ the Redeemer rather than Jesus Christ the Lord.’ As she continues, ‘I was touched by it and even now am moved by his kindness and thoughtfulness.’ A popular lecturer and teacher, John always pushed his students in their thinking and writing and was keen to form his doctoral students as teachers. He often invited them to co-lecture with him and would then spend hours after each lecture offering feedback over a comforting cup of tea. As a scholar, John was precise, original, and erudite. He eschewed the principle to which some scholars adhere, to leave no thought unpublished, and judiciously wrote on subjects to which he could make a real contribution. His well-received commentary on Ephesians in the distinguished ‘Black’s New Testament Commentary’ series defied norms of the genre by being both highly original and oriented to the primary text rather than endlessly discussing secondary literature. He partnered with Professor John Barton to edit the monumental 1.5 million-word Oxford Bible Commentary, which has become a classic among theological students because of its unmatched pound-for-pound value in scholarship and scope. In seminars his vast but lightly worn learning was on display, as he would recall arcane textual variants from memory or argue in novel ways for the literary dependence of one text upon another, or perhaps contend for the revision of some long-held scholarly prejudice about a New Testament text’s date or composition history. His joy and fascination with the material inspired hundreds of theological students in tutorials and lectures, as he invited them to join him in the task of interpretation. His convivial hospitality – mentioned multiple times by almost all who knew him – was a welcome comfort during demanding terms. John was known too for his witty humour and his ever-humane and liberal values. He was greatly loved by his students.

John always had one foot in the academy and one in the Church, standing ‘in the great tradition of Anglican scholar-priests’ (The New Testament and the Church). This is embodied by his first book, The Bible, Fountain and Well of Truth, reviewed by GB Caird (in an article published after the latter’s death): ‘Dr Muddiman writes out of a conviction that today renewal must be scriptural in character, and that it must entail a proper balance between the critical study of the Bible and Bible reading with the eyes of faith nurtured on the corporate life, traditions, and experience of the Church’ (JTS, Oct 1984). As in the academy, John’s loyalty to the Church was also marked by service, including membership of the AnglicanRoman Catholic International Commission (1991-2005) and as Chair of the Church of England’s Theological Education and Training Committee (1995-2002). Closer to home, John was a well-known figure in the College Chapel at Mansfield where he served as Associate Chaplain. Ordained as Deacon in the Church of England in 1971 and as Priest in 1972, John served the parish churches of St Mary and St

Nicholas, Littlemore, St Cross, and St Mary Magdalen. He had a wide and welldeserved reputation for his preaching. For many years, John assisted the Vicar of Littlemore – the Revd Dr David Nicholls. When David died unexpectedly, John shouldered the responsibility of parish services and pastoral care alongside his University and College duties, much to the amazement of his colleagues and friends. During this period, John’s friendship with David’s widow Gillian, a medic, gradually grew. Gill would regularly attend Wednesday Chapel services at Mansfield and dinner afterwards and they enjoyed travelling together, advanced cooking courses, and sharing their culinary delights with their many friends. They were engaged and married in 2010 and the reception at Mansfield was an absolutely joyous occasion. Tragically, Gillian died from aggressive cancer shortly after their honeymoon.

John has two sons – Joe and Tom – and he remained close to them and their families. John retired to Bingham in 2012 to be near his son Joe. He looked after his grandchildren multiple days each week and enjoyed cooking Sunday lunch with them. John was, of course, a superb cook and skilled at sugar craft, making brilliant family wedding cakes, including his own.

These reflections include contributions from Dr Tony Lemon, Dr David Lincicum, Professor Peggy Morgan, Rosna Mortuza, and the Revd Dr Jennifer Strawbridge.

Dr Donald Sykes

Mansfield Principal (1977-86)

1930 – 26 December 2020

Mansfield was very dear to Donald, and he was held in great affection by generations of Mansfield staff and students. His long and close association with the College goes back to 1955, when he came up to read Theology. In 1959 he became a Theology tutor and was successively Senior Tutor, Principal (1977-86), Senior Research Fellow (1986-89) and Honorary Fellow from his retirement in 1989.

Donald was born in Sunderland in 1930. His father Leonard was ordained into the ministry of the Congregational Union of Scotland in 1937 in Rhynie and served in several Scottish churches. After going to school in Airdrie and Dundee, Donald read Classics at the University of St Andrew’s. This was followed by National Service in the Royal Army Educational Corps, about which Donald told some amusing stories. He won the Guthrie Scholarship to Cambridge from St Andrew’s, but then elected to go to Oxford. After taking a first in Theology at Mansfield (195557) he returned to Scotland in 1958 to Jordanhill College of Education in Glasgow, where he was awarded two diplomas, one of them in Religious Education. He then taught Classics for a year at Glasgow High School before returning permanently to Oxford and Mansfield, where he replaced Erik Routley as Tutorial Fellow in Theology. His Oxford doctorate, on St Gregory of Nazianzus, a fourth century Archbishop of Constantinople, was awarded in 1967. In 1969/70 Donald taught for a year at St Olaf College in Minnesota, returning in 1987/88. St Olaf awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Divinity in 1979.

Donald was a dedicated scholar, primarily of Early Church history. In his first years at Mansfield, he concentrated on the Eastern Greek-speaking church, conveying a deep understanding of the early church fathers. Later he discovered Augustine and turned westward. He continued his research well into retirement, converting a garage into a densely packed library in Headington and later reproducing his library in his home with Sarah in Blisworth, Northamptonshire. But it is above all as a teacher that Donald will be remembered: for this he had a real vocation and influenced many generations of students, who appreciated his scholarship, his encouragement, his humour and his pastoral care. He went out of his way to help any student who needed it and will be fondly remembered by many.

In the 1970s Donald was a very successful Senior Tutor at Mansfield. He went on to be elected as the College’s first lay Principal in succession to George Caird. The hospitality for which Donald and his first wife Marta were already renowned continued in the Principal’s Lodgings, with regular entertaining of students, SCR colleagues and visitors. But the serious financial problems and the challenges of achieving college status in a University that did not want more poor colleges gradually bore down on Donald and he became seriously unhappy in his role as Principal. It became clear that it was best to step down and return to the tutoring which he loved. It took courage to make this decision and return to the Senior Common Room in his former role, but with great support from his family and from the College too, Donald made this transition successfully and made a full recovery.

I clearly remember my first meeting with Donald, in the Dining Hall at Mansfield, when he and Marta returned from their year in the USA at St Olaf. Mansfield had a true family atmosphere then, and their return was eagerly awaited. I soon understood why, when they radiated warmth and kindness that evening. All those contributing to this obituary have stressed the affection which Donald aroused among colleagues, staff and students. He was not only lovable and kindly but sharply intelligent and happy to converse on a wide range of topics, which reflected the breadth of his reading and interests. He had a deep fascination with both classical music and jazz and regularly enjoyed the London Review of Books. Donald also had a profound love of things Scottish and I recall his giving a radio talk on the Scottish poet Edwin Muir. He had a wonderful sense of humour, often characterised by sotto voce remarks at formal dinners and solemn moments during the annual Commemoration, and he was a notable raconteur with a considerable stock of highly entertaining anecdotes.

The tragic death of Marta at the age of 59 was a deep and lasting blow to Donald and his sons Roger and Martin, but he was blessed to find new love with Sarah, a family friend and doctor, whom he married in 2002. In the early years of their marriage they were able to visit Martin and his family in New Zealand. Donald and Sarah enjoyed 18 happy years together – even in later years, when Donald began to experience a degree of dementia – first at Blisworth and latterly at Bovey Tracey in south Devon.

With thanks to the Revd Charles Brock (Theology 1967), George Caird, Dr John Creaser, the Revd Dr Peter Jupp (Theology, 1966), the Revd Don Rudalevige (Theology, 1962) and Roger Sykes for their contributions.

Dr Tony Lemon, Emeritus Research Fellow, School of Geography & the Environment