Deaths prior to January of this year can be found in archive copies of The Corinthian
Byron sadly passed away on Friday 3 July 2026, aged 85.
Paul sadly passed away on 30 June 2026.
Timothy sadly died on 7th June 2026.
Geoffrey sadly passed away on 28 May 2026.
Peter sadly passed away in May 2026.
23 December 1929 – 16 June 2026
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Former Stowe Headmaster, The Reverend Christopher Turner (Former Headmaster 1979-1989). Reverend Christopher died following a short illness, on Tuesday 16 June, surrounded by his family. He was 96 years old. Prayers in memory of Christopher were given in Stowe Chapel on the morning of 18 June.
Reverend Christopher’s funeral service will take place in early July in Oxfordshire. Prayers in his memory will be given at Old Stoic Day on 19 September 2026. All Old Stoics and their families are welcome to attend.
A full tribute to Reverend Christopher’s life will be published in the next edition of The Corinthian.
Click here to read the Vale article by Charlie Macdonald (Chatham 54, Former Staff 1964-1996) reproduced below was first published in The Stoic, number 184, December 1989.
Eric sadly died on 5 January 2026.
Orla sadly died on 2 April 2026. A full obituary will be published in due course.
Antony sadly died on 10 March 2026.
Claude sadly died on 13 July 2025.
Anthony sadly died on 7 December 2025.
Angus sadly died on 5 January 2026 aged 91. Devoted to Stowe Angus had many tales to tell, and many happy memories of his time there.
Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent John Fisher Burns, a towering figure in international journalism and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, passed away on March 12, 2026, in Cambridge, England, at the age of 81, from pneumonia after a long battle with cancer. He was widely regarded as the "dean of American foreign correspondents" and often described as the "consummate Foreign Desk fireman" for his ability to quickly respond to global hotspots. Known for his courageous and thorough reporting from some of the world's most volatile regions, Burns dedicated four decades to The New York Times, earning a reputation for uncompromising integrity and physical bravery despite his British origins.
Jeremy sadly died on Friday 20th March 2026.
Robin sadly passed away on 17 March 2026.
Dr Brown passed away peacefully on 28 February 2026 at the age of 92. He started working at Stowe in 1964, initally part time, and later became Stowe's GP until 1994. After his retirement, he volunteered for Stowe House Preservation Trust as a house guide and was an active member of the Stowe Community.
Dr Brown’s Funeral Service will take place in Stowe Parish Church on Friday 20 March, at 1.30pm, followed by a reception in the Marble Hall at Stowe. All are welcome, please register here if you plan to attend, to help give an indication of numbers for catering: https://forms.office.com/e/FVnXEM7DZW
Parking will be available on the North Front for guests. There is limited parking near Stowe Church for those unable to walk long distances. Step free access to the Marble Hall is available via the SHPT welcome centre on the South Front, using our lifts. Please telephone the OS Office on 01280 818349 if you have any queries relating to access.
Chris sadly passed away on 2 February 2026.
Ken Edwards (Aug 1937 - Feb 2026) friend of Stowe whose lifelong bond with the Stowe landscape and community spanned more than eight decades.
Ken first arrived in Dadford as a young boy during the Second World War, finding in Stowe’s gardens an extraordinary playground and sanctuary. His childhood memories of wandering freely among the lakes, temples, and woodland – paddling in the Eleven Acre Lake, exploring the Bourbon Tower, and adventuring across an overgrown, enchanted landscape—remained some of the happiest of his life.
After returning to London in 1946, Ken never lost his affection for Stowe. As an adult he would often come back, bringing his parents and later his sons to share the beauty and nostalgia of the place that had shaped him.
In 1994, Ken returned to the area and began volunteering with the National Trust at Stowe—a role he embraced wholeheartedly for over twenty-five years. As a garden steward and later a knowledgeable and much-admired guide, he welcomed countless visitors, sharing stories of the landscape with warmth and an ever-growing depth of understanding. His enthusiasm for Stowe was infectious; whether helping lost families, rescuing a stranded cow (!), or leading tours, Ken brought dedication and boundless knowledge to everything he did.
Ken will be remembered for his gentle nature, and his unwavering affection for the gardens that shaped his earliest years. Stowe was, as he often said, “the most exciting place a child could grow up”.
He will be fondly remembered by many in the Stowe Community including Old Stoics who enjoyed his garden tours on Old Stoic Day each year where he generously gave up his time and shared his interesting and detailed knowledge of the gardens.
Richard sadly passed away on Wednesday 4th February 2026 in the early hours of the morning at the age of 79 after a long but very couragous fight against cancer. Despite his illness he continued to live life to the full playing golf and travelling until very rrecently.
He was at Stowe from 1960 - 1965 in Chandos House and excelled particularly in sport. He was Captain of Cricket, Rugby and Fives and was one of the 1964 Unbeaten Rugby 1st XV team.
Chris very sadly passed away on December 23, 2025.
Chris was always interested in what was happening at Stowe, such as the Change 100 program to which he donated. Stowe made a great impact on his life and was always remembered fondly.
Ian very sadly died on 5 January.
Ian was a proud Old Stoic and was followed at Stowe by both children and grandchildren.