/ Stars that died in 2023

Friday, April 13, 2012

Polly Platt, American film producer (Say Anything...), died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis she was , 72 .

Mary Marr "Polly" Platt was an American film producer, production designer and screenwriter died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis she was , 72 ..


(January 29, 1939 – July 27, 2011)

    Early life

    Platt was born Mary Marr Platt in Fort Sheridan, Illinois on January 29, 1939, later using the name Polly.[1][2] Her father John was a colonel in the army while her mother Vivian worked in advertising; she has a brother, John.[1] She moved to Germany at the age of six as her father presided over the Dachau Trials.[1] Platt later returned to the US and attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology.[1][2]

    Career

    Platt worked in summer stock theatre as a costume designer in New York and there met Peter Bogdanovich, whom she would later marry.[1][2] She co-wrote with Bogdanovich his first movie Targets (1968), conceiving the plot outline of a "Vietnam veteran-turned-sniper" and served as the production designer on the film.[2] She was also production designer on his film The Last Picture Show (1971), recommending Cybill Sheppard for her first film role,[3] and despite the breakdown of their marriage, had the same role on What's Up Doc? (1972) and Paper Moon (1973).[1][2] Platt had suggested Bogdanovich make Larry McMurtry's novel The Last Picture Show into a film.[2] Bogdanovich commented that: "She worked on important pictures and made major contributions. She was unique. There weren't many women doing that kind of work at that time, particularly not one as well versed as she was. She knew all the departments, on a workmanlike basis, as opposed to most producers who just know things in theory."[1] Platt was the first female member of the Art Directors Guild.[1] She was also production designer on A Star Is Born (1976).[2]
    She wrote the screenplays for Pretty Baby (1978), on which she was also an associate producer,[2] as well as Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979), and A Map of the World (1999).[4] She wrote the screenplay for the 1995 Academy Award-winning short film, Lieberman in Love, which was based on a short story by W. P. Kinsella.
    Platt worked extensively with James L. Brooks throughout her career. She was the executive vice president of his production company Gracie Films from 1985 to 1995.[1][2] Platt was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction for Brooks' film Terms of Endearment (1983).[1] She also co-produced many of the films he worked on, which Gracie made, including Broadcast News (1987), The War of the Roses (1989) and Bottle Rocket (1996), as well as producing Say Anything... (1989).[1][2] Platt gave Brooks the nine-panel Life in Hell cartoon "The Los Angeles Way of Death" by cartoonist Matt Groening. She suggested that the two meet and that Brooks produce an animated TV version of Groening's characters; the meeting spawned a series of short cartoons about the Simpson family, which aired as part of The Tracey Ullman Show and later became The Simpsons.[1][2][5][6]
    In 1994, she was awarded the Women in Film Crystal Award.[7] Brooks said that Platt "couldn't walk into a gas station and get gas without mentoring somebody. Movies are a team sport, and she made teams function. She would assume a maternal role in terms of really being there. The film was everything, and ego just didn't exist."[1]
    In 2003, she appeared in the BBC documentary film Easy Riders, Raging Bulls. Platt was working on a documentary about the filmmaker Roger Corman at the time of her death.[1]

    [edit] Personal life

    Platt was married to Philip Klein until his death in a car accident in the 1960s, eight months after they married.[2] Platt was married to director Peter Bogdanovich from 1962 to 1971.[2] They divorced after Bogdanovich left her during the filming of The Last Picture Show for its lead actress Cybill Shepherd.[1][2] Platt and Bogdanovich had two children: Antonia and Sashy.[1] Platt later married prop maker Tony Wade; they remained married until his death in 1985. She was stepmother to his children Kelly and Jon.[1][2]
    The 1984 film Irreconcilable Differences, starring Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Long and Drew Barrymore, was reportedly loosely based on her marriage to Bogdanovich, and their divorce.[8]
    Platt died aged 72 on July 27, 2011 in New York, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.[1]

     

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    Tuesday, February 28, 2012

    Bejaratana Rajasuda,, Thai royal, only daughter of King Vajiravudh of Thailand died she was 85

    Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda Sirisobhabannavadi of Thailand  was the only daughter of the late King Vajiravudh of Thailand. She was a first cousin of current King Bhumibol Adulyadej and third cousin with King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia.

    (  24 November 1925 – 27 July 2011)

    Biography

    Royal cypher of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda
    Princess Bejaratana was born on 24 November 1925 in the Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok, as the only child of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and Princess Suvadhana. After having seen his only child for a day, the King died, on 25 November 1925. Her uncle, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), performed the naming ceremony for the princess on 30 December.
    The princess and her mother moved to Suan Hongsa Villa at Dusit Palace where she received her education from a private tutor. They then moved in with Queen Sri Savarindira (the Queen Dowager) during the war, and the princess attended Rajani School until the age of 12. The princess and her mother moved to England where she received further education as well as medication for her illness. They first stayed at Fairhill Villa in Surrey, before finally moving to Brighton.[2]
    In November 1957, mother and daughter moved back to Thailand. They bought a piece of land on Sukhumvit Road Soi 38, and build the Ruenruedi Villa Palace. Once the princess had settled into her new life in Thailand, she proceeded to undertake her Royal Duties representing the Thai Royal Family. Her special interests have been in connection to education, public health, Buddhism, the soldiers and police stationed at Thailand 's borders, and general public welfare.
    Princess Bejaratana was known privately to be a very gifted individual, especially with numbers. She had the ability to calculate which day of the week for any dates presented to her, promptly and without any hesitation, as well as to remember the birthdays of all individuals who have been presented to her.
    Near the end of her life due to her age and health she had lately cut down on her Royal duties, but once in a while, she still did work related to her late father.
    Princess Bejaratana died on 27 July 2011 at 4.37 pm at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok aged 85.[3]

    Titles and styles

    Styles of
    Princess Bejaratana of Thailand

    Spoken style
    Your Royal Highness
    Alternative style
    Ma'am
    • 30 December 1925 – 10 July 1935 : Her Royal Highness The Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda.
    • 10 July 1935 – 27 July 2011 : Her Royal Highness The Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda, the Princess Cousin.

     

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    Eduard Rozovsky Russian cinematographer (Amphibian Man, White Sun of the Desert), died from a car accident he was , 84,.

    Eduard Rozovsky  was a Russian cinematographer and cameraman, whose film credits include Amphibian Man and White Sun of the Desert died from a car accident he was , 84,..

     (1926 – July 27, 2011)

    Rozovsky was an alumna of Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK),[1] which is now called the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. He began his career at the Lennauchfilm film studio, where he started as a cameraman.[1] He then joined Lenfilm studio, where he worked as a cinematographer.[1]
    Rozovsky is credited as the cinematographer on more than eighty films, spanning several decades.[1] His best known films include White Sun of the Desert, Amphibian Man, The Seventh Companion, Kain XVIII, Wedding and Socrates and The Master of Chukotka.[1] He later became the film department chairman at the St. Petersburg State University of Cinema and Television.[1]
    Rozovsky died in a car accident when he lost control of his Opel Astra while driving on the highway from the city of St. Petersburg to his country home in Priozersk.[1] He was 84 years old.[1]
    Surgeon Vice-Admiral Sir John Stuart Pepys Rawlins, KBE, FRCP, FFCM, FRAES (12 May 1922 – 27 July 2011) was a British pioneer in the field of diving medicine.

    Contents

     [hide

    [edit] Royal Navy

    Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir John Rawlins was educated at Wellington College, read Medicine at University College, Oxford and trained at Barts, graduating in 1945.[1] Soon after, Rawlins began his career as a Surgeon Lt Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve officer and was assigned to the colossus class aircraft carrier HMS Triumph in 1947.[1] After transitioning from the reserves to active duty in 1951, Rawlins was assigned to the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM).[1][2] Rawlins was promoted to the rank of Surgeon commander while he continued his research at the IAM until 1961.[1] Rawlins was also a member of the US Navy SEALAB project.[3]
    Rawlins served as the RN Director of Health and Research from 1975 to 1977 and later as the RN Medical Director General from 1977 to 1980 when he retired as Surgeon Vice Admiral.[1][4]

    [edit] Other honors

    Rawlins was a British Sub-Aqua Club Honorary Life Member as well as President of the Historical Diving Society and the Association of RN First Class Divers.[4]
    Rawlins received the Lowell Thomas Award from The Explorers Club in 2000.[2][5]

     

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    Richard Rutt, British Anglican prelate, Bishop of Leicester (1979–1991) died he was , 85

     Cecil Richard Rutt CBE  was an English Roman Catholic priest and a former Anglican bishop died he was , 85. Rutt spent almost 20 years of his life serving as an Anglican missionary in South Korea, a country for which he developed a deep affection. He was perhaps the last of the line of scholar-missionaries, beginning with James Scarth Gale, Homer B. Hulbert, George Heber Jones and the Anglican bishop Mark Napier Trollope who laid the foundations of what is now known as Korean studies. Some years after he retired as an Anglican bishop, Rutt was one of several Anglicans received into the Roman Catholic Church in 1994. He was ordained a Catholic priest the following year and spent the closing years of his life in Cornwall.
        

    (27 August 1925 – 27 July 2011) 

    Early life

    Rutt was the son of Cecil Rutt and Mary Hare (née Turner).[1] He was educated at Kelham Theological College and Pembroke College, Cambridge, from which he received his Master of Arts degree.

    Anglican ministry

    Rutt was ordained an Anglican priest in 1952.[2] After a curacy at St George’s Cambridge[3] he went to South Korea as a missionary in 1954. In 1965 he was appointed Archdeacon of West Seoul. In June 1966 he was appointed an assistant bishop of the Diocese of Daejeon by the Archbishop of Canterbury.[4] In February 1968 he became Bishop of Daejeon.[5] He was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1973.[1]
    Feeling that the time had come for Koreans to take charge of their portion of the Anglican Communion, in 1973 Rutt offered his resignation as Bishop of Daejeon, intending to continue serving as a simple parish priest in the country he had come to love so much. That proved to be impossible and in January 1974 he was appointed suffragan bishop of the Church of England's Diocese of Truro with the title Bishop of St Germans.[6] While in Cornwall he learned the Cornish language in order to celebrate weddings in Cornish. In October 1979 he was named Bishop of Leicester.[7]
    In 1982 Rutt, who was always strongly inclined to Anglo-Catholicism, voted against the unity covenant with the Methodist, Moravian and United Reformed churches.[8] In July 1985 he was introduced into the House of Lords.[9] He retired in 1990 and went to live in Falmouth, in the Cornwall he had come to love. He died in his 87th year at Treliske Hospital, Truro.[10]

     Catholic ministry

    In 1994 Rutt became a Catholic and in June 1995 he was ordained as a Catholic priest.[11][12] He spent his last years in residence at St Mary Immaculate Parish in Falmouth.[13] In 2009 he was made a Prelate of Honour, with the title of Monsignor, by Pope Benedict XVI.[14] He was an honorary canon of Plymouth Cathedral.[14]

    Korean studies and writings

    While in Korea, from 1954 to 1974, Rutt studied in great depth the language, culture and history of Korea, as well as Classical Chinese. He was an active member of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch, serving on the council, overseeing its publications and serving as its president in 1974. He published six scholarly papers in the RASKB's journal, Transactions,[15] most of which reveal his deep knowledge of the Classical Chinese used in pre-modern Korea.[16] His deep affection for the traditional culture of Korea, which had in fact almost ceased to exist by the time he arrived, was particularly expressed in his very popular volume, Korean Works and Days: Notes from the Diary of a Country Priest. One of his notable works of scholarship, apart from his translations, was his annotated edition (RASKB, 1972 / 1983) of the History of the Korean People by James Scarth Gale (first published in 1927) which includes a researched biography of the author. Like Gale, Rutt was fascinated by Classical Chinese and, after his retirement, he published a new translation of a challenging ancient Chinese classic, The Book of Changes, in 1996. He later assisted the historical research of the Anglican priest Roger Tennant[17] as well as co-authoring the encyclopedia Korea: A Historical and Cultural Dictionary with Keith Pratt. He was a member of both the Association of Korean Studies in Europe (AKSE) founded by William E. Skillend of SOAS and the British Association for Korean Studies (BAKS). In particular, Rutt was fascinated by traditional and formal sijo and older forms of Korean poetry in general.[18][19] He owned a large collection of books related to Korea, including some rare Korean volumes, which he donated to the Bodleian Library at Oxford University.[20]

    Knitting

    Rutt developed a passionate interest in knitting and authored a history of the craft in A History of Hand Knitting (Batsford, 1987). His collection of books about knitting is now housed at the Winchester School of Art (University of Southampton).[21] Rutt was involved with the Knitting & Crochet Guild since its inception in 1978, and was its president at the time of his death.[22]

    Selected works

    In a statistical overview derived from writings by and about Rutt, OCLC/WorldCat encompasses roughly 30+ works in 70+ publications in three languages and 3,000+ library holdings[23]
    es.
    • 2002 — Martyrs of Korea
    • 1999 — Korea: A Historical and Cultural Dictionary(with Keith L. Pratt)
    • 1996 — The Book of Changes (Zhouyi): A Bronze Age Document
    • 1987 — A History of Hand Knitting
    • 1980 — A Nine Cloud Dream by Man-jung Kim
    • 1974 — Virtuous Women: Three Classic Korean Novels
    • 1972 — History of the Korean People (James Scarth Gale)
    • 1971 — The Bamboo Grove: An Introduction to Sijo
    • 1964 — Korean Works and Days: Notes from the Diary of a Country Priest
    • 1958 — An Introduction to the Sijo, a Form of Short Korean Poem
    • 1956 — The Church Serves Korea

    Personal life

    Rutt married Joan Ford (3 April 1919 - 17 September 2007) in Hong Kong in May 1969.[24] He was a bard of the Cornish Gorseth. His Korean name was Tae-yŏng No.

     

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    Pietro Sambi, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, titular archbishop and Apostolic Nuncio to the United States (since 2005), died from respiratory failure he was , 73

    Pietro Sambi  was an Italian Roman Catholic prelate who served in the Vatican's Secretariat of State. At the time of his death, he was the Titular Archbishop of Bellicastrum and the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States died from respiratory failure he was , 73.

    (27 June 1938 – 27 July 2011)

    Biography

    Sambi was born in Sogliano al Rubicone (Forlì-Cesena), Italy on 27 June 1938[1] and spoke Italian, English, French and Spanish.[2]

    [edit] Ecclesiastical career

    He was ordained to the priesthood for the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro on 14 March 1964,[1] and began work in the diplomatic service of the Secretariat of State in 1969, serving at the nunciatures in Cameroon.[2] He was transferred to the Apostolic Nunciature in Jerusalem on 19 July 1971, and subsequently to the Apostolic Nunciatures in Cuba in 1974, Algeria in 1978, Nicaragua in 1979, Belgium in 1981, and then India in May 1984 with the rank of counselor.[2]
    On 10 October 1985, Sambi was named the pro-nuncio to Burundi by Pope John Paul II, and was ordained as a bishop as the titular archbishop of Bellicastrum.[1][2] In 1991 he was made the pro-nuncio to Indonesia, and in 1998 was named nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and apostolic delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine.[1][2] Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop Sambi as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States on December 17, 2005. He was installed in early 2006.[1][2]
    During Pope Benedict's April 2008 visit to the U.S., Archbishop Sambi accompanied the Pope and hosted him at the Apostolic Nunciature, where the Pope held a historic private meeting with five victims of clergy sexual abuse. Archbishop Sambi recognized the global reach of the U.S. and American culture, and the immense contribution to the country and the world of the American Catholic church- particularly through its charitable work and its healthcare and educational institutions. He toured the damage left by Hurricane Katrina during the summer of 2006, shortly after his appointment. In 2007, he spoke at a convention of the National Catholic Educational Association, praising teachers in Catholic schools. During the 10th anniversary observance in 2009 of the Joint Declaration on Justification, the Archbishop told the Washington audience that charitable love and mutual respect were paramount, just as it was during the founding of the Church and in other earlier times, for any hope of progress in ecumenical relations and to remain faithful to Christ's expectations of his disciples regarding their treatment of one another (the Archbishop himself was widely respected in the American church for these qualities). Sambi was the recipient of many honors, including an honorary doctorate received on May 8, 2011 from Regis University in Denver, Colorado as well as the 2009 Living Stones Solidarity Award of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (as Nuncio there before coming to America, Archbishop Sambi had tried to improve access to holy sites, Christian-Jewish-Muslim dialogue, the Israeli-Palestinian talks, and the ability of Arab Israeli Catholic priests to serve with more ease in Israel). In September 2010, he presided at a Mass to mark the 13th anniversary of the death of Blessed Mother Teresa, which coincided with a U.S. postal commemmoration of her.

    Health problems and death

    According to a press release advisory jointly issued by the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on 22 July 2011, Sambi underwent lung surgery and developed complications that required the temporary use of assisted ventilation. The Apostolic Nunciature and Sambi's family asked that bishops, priests, religious, and the lay faithful offer sacrifices and prayers for the health of the Apostolic Nuncio.[3]
    On 27 July 2011, it was announced that Archbishop Sambi, 73, had died, apparently from complications relating to the lung surgery. Many American Bishops, including New York City's Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan, president of the American bishops' conference, released statements expressing sorrow at his death. The body, after lying in state at the Apostolic Nunciature for two days, arrived at the airport in Rimini, Italy the morning of Sunday, July 31, 2011, and was taken to the parish church in his hometown, Sogliano al Rubicone, Italy. A prayer service was held that night in the Church of St. Lawrence, and another is planned for the evening of Monday, August 1. The Church will be open for mourners to pay their respects until the afternoon of the following day, Tuesday, August 2, when the casket will be taken from the Church to Matteotti Square in the town of about 3,200 residents. Monsignor Luigi Ricci, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rimini and pastor of St. Lawrence, said the Funeral Mass there will begin at 4:00 P.M. After the Funeral Mass there, parishioners will walk in procession, carrying the casket to the town's cemetery. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop Francesco Lambiasi of Rimini will preside at that Funeral Mass. Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, the Vatican's Substitute for General Affairs at the Secretariat of State, and Archbishop Giuseppe Bertello, the Apostolic Nuncio to Italy, will be among the concelebrants. A Memorial Mass for the Nuncio, to coincide with the Fall meeting of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), was held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord. Archbishop Dolan of New York, President of the USCCB, was the principal celebrant, with many of the country's Bishops, including Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., concelebrating, along with the current charge d'affaires at the Nunciature, Monsignor Jean-Francois Lantheaume. Vatican officials later confirmed reports that had Archbishop Sambi lived and been able to continue to serve, he would have been transferred to a senior post in the Roman Curia that eventually would have likely raised him to the cardinalate.[4]

     

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    Judy Sowinski, American roller derby skater and coach died she was , 71


    Judy Sowinski  was a roller derby skater and coach. Sowinski was born in Chicago, and became interested in roller derby after watching a game at the Chicago Coliseum in 1957  died she was , 71. She tried out and was soon picked up as a professional, skating for the San Francisco Bombers. She cultivated an obnoxious persona, but preferred the games themselves to remain genuine contests. She later also skated for the Philadelphia Warriors, spent nine years with the Los Angeles Thunderbirds, and captained the New York Bombers.

    (7 July 1940 – 27 July 2011)

    In 1972, Sowinski appeared in Kansas City Bomber, a movie set in the world of roller derby. She finally retired from the sport in the early 1980s, taking a job at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, living with her female partner. Judy returned to skating several times in the 80's and skated her last game in March 1992 at the Hershey Arena for the IRSD league run by Bob Raskin.[2]
    Sowinski returned to roller derby in 2003, coaching the Penn Jersey She Devils, initially on an unpaid basis. In 2004, she was inducted into the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.[2]

     

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    John Stott,, British Anglican priest died he was 90.

     John Robert Walmsley Stott CBE  was an English Christian leader and Anglican cleric who was noted as a leader of the worldwide Evangelical movement died he was  90.. He was one of the principal authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974. In 2005, Time magazine ranked Stott among the 100 most influential people in the world.

    (27 April 1921 – 27 July 2011)

    Life

    Childhood and family

    Stott was born in London to Sir Arnold and Emily Stott. Sir Arnold Stott was a leading physician at Harley Street and an agnostic, while his wife was a Lutheran churchgoer who attended the nearby Church of England church, All Souls, Langham Place. Stott was sent to boarding school at eight years old—initially prep school at Oakley Hall.[2] In 1935, he went on to Rugby School.[3]
    While at Rugby School in 1938, Stott heard the Reverend Eric Nash (nicknamed "Bash") deliver a sermon entitled "What Then Shall I Do with Jesus, Who Is Called the Christ?"[4] After this talk, Nash pointed Stott to Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Stott later described the impact this verse had upon him as follows:
    "Here, then, is the crucial question which we have been leading up to. Have we ever opened our door to Christ? Have we ever invited him in? This was exactly the question which I needed to have put to me. For, intellectually speaking, I had believed in Jesus all my life, on the other side of the door. I had regularly struggled to say my prayers through the key-hole. I had even pushed pennies under the door in a vain attempt to pacify him. I had been baptized, yes and confirmed as well. I went to church, read my Bible, had high ideals, and tried to be good and do good. But all the time, often without realising it, I was holding Christ at arm's length, and keeping him outside. I knew that to open the door might have momentous consequences. I am profoundly grateful to him for enabling me to open the door. Looking back now over more than fifty years, I realise that that simple step has changed the entire direction, course and quality of my life.[5]
    Stott was mentored by Bash, who wrote a weekly letter to him, advising him on how to develop and grow in his Christian life, as well as practicalities such as leading the Christian Union at his school.

    University and theological college

    Stott studied modern languages at Trinity College, Cambridge where he graduated with a double first in French and theology. At university, he was active in the Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU), where the executive committee considered him too invaluable a person to be asked to commit his time by joining the committee.
    He registered as a conscientious objector.
    After Trinity he transferred to Ridley Hall Theological College, Cambridge, to train for ordination as an Anglican cleric.

    Ministry

    Stott was ordained in 1945 and went on to become a curate at All Souls Church, Langham Place (1945–1950) then rector (1950–75).[6] This was the church in which he had grown up, and in which he spent almost his whole life, apart from a few years spent in Cambridge.
    While in this position he became increasingly influential on a national and international basis, most notably being a key player in the 1966-67 dispute about the appropriateness of evangelicals remaining in the Church of England. In 1970, in response to increasing demands on his time from outside the All Souls congregation, he appointed a vicar of All Souls, to enable himself to work on other projects. In 1975 he resigned as Rector, and the then vicar was appointed in his place; he remained at the church, and was appointed "Rector Emeritus".
    In 1974 he founded the Langham Partnership International (known as John Stott Ministries in the US), and in 1982 the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, of which he remained honorary president until his death.

    Retirement

    Stott announced his retirement from public ministry in April 2007 at the age of 86. He took up residence in The College of St Barnabas, Lingfield, Surrey, a retirement community for Anglican clergy but remained as Rector Emeritus of All Souls Church.
    Stott died on 27 July 2011 at the College of St Barnabas in Lingfield at 3:15pm local time. He was surrounded by family and close friends and they were reading the Bible and listening to Handel's Messiah when he peacefully died.[7][8] An obituary in Christianity Today, reporting that his death was due to age-related complications and that he had been in discomfort for several weeks, described him as "An architect of 20th-century evangelicalism [who] shaped the faith of a generation."[8] His status was such that his death was reported in the secular media. The BBC referred to him as someone who could "explain complex theology in a way lay people could easily understand".[9] Obituaries were published in the Daily Telegraph and the New York Times.[10][11]
    Tributes were immediately paid to Stott by a number of leaders and other figures within the Christian community:
    "The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen, and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisors. I look forward to seeing him again when I go to Heaven." (Billy Graham)[8]
    "The death of John Stott will be mourned by countless Christians throughout the world. During a long life of unsparing service and witness, John won a unique place in the hearts of all who encountered him, whether in person or through his many books. He was a man of rare graciousness and deep personal kindness, a superb communicator and a sensitive and skilled counsellor. Without ever compromising his firm evangelical faith, he showed himself willing to challenge some of the ways in which that faith had become conventional or inward-looking. It is not too much to say that he helped to change the face of evangelicalism internationally, arguing for the necessity of 'holistic' mission that applied the Gospel of Jesus to every area of life, including social and political questions. But he will be remembered most warmly as an expositor of scripture and a teacher of the faith, whose depth and simplicity brought doctrine alive in all sorts of new ways." (Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury)[12]
    "It will not be possible to write the history of the church in the 20th century without reference to John Stott. His remarkable ministry spanned the whole of the second half of the century and even in his eighties he was making an impact on the 21st.
    His leadership of the evangelical movement, both in the Anglican Communion and in wider inter-denominational settings, was a major factor in moving it from rather narrow-minded fundamentalism after the Second World War, to the fastest growing part of world Christianity that it is today. The list of movements and institutions he founded, fostered and strengthened can be read in the biographical pages of this website. His books have challenged and nourished millions of Christians into a balanced and thinking biblical faith. His legacy through the global impact of the Langham Partnership International and the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity is incalculable.
    For the vast majority of people whose lives he influenced profoundly, however, he was simply 'Uncle John' - a much loved friend, correspondent, and brother, to whose prayers we will never know how much we owe. Like Moses, he was one of the greatest leaders God has given to his people, and yet at the same time, one of the humblest men on the face of the earth. He was, for all of us who knew him, a walking embodiment of the simple beauty of Jesus, whom he loved above all else." (Chris Wright, Langham Partnership International Director)[13]
    "I think he set an impeccable example for leaders of ministries of handing things over to other leaders. He imparted to many a love for the global church and imparted a passion for biblical fidelity and a love for the Saviour." (Benjamin Homan, President, John Stott Ministries)[8]
    "We are deeply grateful for this long publishing partnership and friendship with one of the most influential and beloved evangelical leaders for the past half-century. John Stott was not only revered; he was loved. He had a humble mind and a gracious spirit. He was a pastor-teacher whose books and preaching not only became the gold standard for expository teaching, but his Christian character was a model of truth and godliness. We will miss 'Uncle John' but we celebrate his life and writings as an extraordinary testimony of one who was abundantly faithful to his Lord Jesus Christ." (Bob Fryling, InterVarsity Press publisher)[14]
    "Stott is credited with leading the post-war resurgence of the British evangelical movement. As well as inspiring generations of evangelical within and beyond the Church of England he worked in partnership with Billy Graham in his groundbreaking UK missions from the 1950s onwards . . . After retiring . . . Stott continued to exert enormous influence on global Christianity. He was instrumental in framing the 1974 Lausanne Covenant . . . He remained celibate his whole life, lived modestly, and poured royalties from book sales into the work of raising up church leaders in developing countries." (Justin Brierly, Premier Radio Presenter, writing in Christianity Magazine)[15]
    Further tributes from current and former clergy at All Souls' Church were also published.[7]
    Stott's funeral was on 8 August 2011 at All Souls' Church.[16] It was reported that the church was full with people queuing for a considerable time before the service started.[17]
    A memorial website was also unveiled, which indicated that memorial services for Stott would be held at St Paul's Cathedral, London, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, New Zealand, and College Church, Wheaton, Illinois, United States.[18]

    [edit] Influence

    Stott has had considerable influence in evangelicalism. In a November 2004 editorial on Stott, New York Times columnist David Brooks cited Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center as saying that "if evangelicals could elect a pope, Stott is the person they would likely choose."[19]

    [edit] Writing

    He wrote over 50 books, some of which appear only in Chinese, Korean or Spanish, as well as many articles and papers.
    One of these is Basic Christianity (ISBN 0-87784-690-1), a book which seeks to explain the message of Christianity, and convince its readers of its truth and importance.
    He was also the author of The Cross of Christ (ISBN 0-87784-998-6), of which J. I. Packer stated, "No other treatment of this supreme subject says so much so truly and so well."[citation needed]
    Other books he wrote include Essentials, a dialogue with the liberal cleric and theologian David L. Edwards, over whether what Evangelicals hold as essential should be seen as such. In 2005, he produced Evangelical Truth, which summarises what he perceives as being the central claims of Christianity, essential for evangelicalism.
    Upon his formal retirement from public engagements, he continued to engage in regular writing until his death:
    • In 2008, he produced The Anglican Evangelical Doctrine of Infant Baptism with J. Alec Motyer.[20]
    An introduction to his thought can be found in his two final substantial publications, which act as a summation of his thinking. Both were published by the publishing house with which he had a lifelong association, IVP.
    • In 2007, his reflections on the life of the church: The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor.
    • In January 2010, at the age of 88, he saw the launch of what would explicitly be his final book: The Radical Disciple. It concludes with a poignant farewell and appeal for his legacy to be continued through the work of the Langham Partnership International.

    [edit] Anglican evangelicalism

    Stott played a key role as a leader of evangelicalism within the Church of England, and was regarded as instrumental in persuading evangelicals to play an active role in the Church of England rather than leaving for exclusively evangelical denominations. There were two major events where he played a key role in this regard.
    He was chairing the National Assembly of Evangelicals in 1966, a convention organised by the Evangelical Alliance, when Martyn Lloyd-Jones made an unexpected call for evangelicals to unite together as evangelicals and no longer within their 'mixed' denominations. This view was motivated by a belief that true Christian fellowship requires evangelical views on central topics such as the atonement and the inspiration of Scripture. Lloyd-Jones was a key figure to many in the Free Churches, and evangelical Anglicans regarded Stott similarly. The two leaders publicly disagreed, as Stott, though not scheduled as a speaker that evening, used his role as chairman to refute Lloyd-Jones, saying that his opinion went against history and the Bible. The following year saw the first National Evangelical Anglican Congress, which was held at Keele University. At this conference, largely due to Stott's influence, evangelical Anglicans committed themselves to full participation in the Church of England, rejecting the separationist approach proposed by Lloyd-Jones.[21]
    These two conferences effectively fixed the direction of a large part of the British evangelical community. Although there is an ongoing debate as to the exact nature of Lloyd-Jones's views, they undoubtedly caused the two groupings to adopt diametrically opposed positions. These positions, and the resulting split, continue largely unchanged to this day.[22]

    [edit] Honours

    Stott was appointed a Chaplain to Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1959[23] and, on his retirement in 1991, an Extra Chaplain.[24] He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours 2006.[25] He received a number of honorary doctorates, as well as a Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity.

    [edit] Controversy

    Stott publicly espoused the idea of annihilationism, which is the belief that hell is incineration into non-existence,[26] rather than everlasting conscious torment (the traditional Evangelical approach). He was not dogmatic about this position, but held to it somewhat tentatively, insisting only that it be accepted as a legitimate evangelical option: "the ultimate annihilation of the wicked should at least be accepted as a legitimate, biblically founded alternative to their eternal conscious torment."[27] This led to a heated debate within mainstream evangelical Christianity: some writers criticised Stott in very strong terms while others supported his views.[28] Stott also supported the ordination of women deacons and presbyters, although he did not believe they should be in positions of headship.

    [edit] Personal life

    Stott remained celibate his entire life. He said, "The gift of singleness is more a vocation than an empowerment, although to be sure God is faithful in supporting those He calls."[29]
    Stott's favourite relaxation was birdwatching; his book The Birds Our Teachers draws on this interest.[30]

    [edit] Bibliography

    • The Message of Romans: God's Good News for the World (The Bible Speaks Today). ISBN 978-08380812462.
    • Chris Wright, editor, John Stott: A portrait by his friends (Leicester, Nottingham, Inter-Varsity Press, 2011).
    • Chris Wright, editor, Portraits of a Radical Disciple: Recollections of John Stott's Life and Ministry (Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press, 2011). ISBN 0830838104, 9780830838103
    • Roger Steer, "Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott" (Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press, 2010). ISBN 0830838465, 9780830838462
    • Timothy Dudley-Smith, John Stott: The Making of a Leader (Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press, 1999). The authorised biography of the first forty years of the life of John Stott. ISBN 978-0851117577.
    • Timothy Dudley-Smith, John Stott: A Global Ministry (Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press, 2001). The second volume of the authorised biography of John Stott, covering 1960 onwards. ISBN 978-0851119830.
    • Books by John Stott

     

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