Death of WBro Richard Turpin OBE PAGDC

It is with great sadness that the death of WBro Richard Herbert Turpin OBE PAGDC is announced.  He lost his brave fight against cancer and passed to the Grand lodge Above on Tuesday 26 July 2016.

He was a Group Officer for the Huntingdon Group of Lodges and, since 2006, the Provincial Information Officer.  Before that he had for many years been the Editor of the Provincial newsletter, Password, being its inaugural Editor.  He was also the current MEZ of Socrates Chapter No 373.

He was 80 years old and born on 17 April 1936.  After attending Archbishop Tenison's Grammar School in London he joined the Royal Air Force and rose to the rank of Wing Commander.  When he retired he was working at the Ministry of Defence in London.

In 1992 his public service was recognised when he was award the OBE.

He was initiated into Craft Masonry in 1979 and exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in 1981.  Becoming Provincial Senior Grand Warden in this Province in 2006, he achieved Senior London Grand Rank in 2007 and was promoted to Grand Rank (PAGDC) in 2009.

In this Province he was a member of Meridian Lodge No 9542, Wilavestone Lodge No 9829, Three Counties Lodge No 9278 and the Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Lodge of Installed Masters No 3422.  He was also a member of the Royal Air Force No 7335 in London.  He has performed great service in these Lodges in the progressive offices and as Secretary.

In the Holy Royal Arch he was a member (and current MEZ) of Socrates Chapter No 373 and a member of Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Chapter of First Principals No 3422.

He was also a Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of this Mark Province and a member of other orders.

At Easter 2016 he was very pleased to be honoured by Her Majesty the Queen when he was one of those to whom she presented Maundy money in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Richard had many interests and gave voluntary service in many walks of public life.  He was a Churchwarden in his local Parish Church in Great Stukeley, a Trustee of Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust and a Lay Member of the Huntingdon and Wisbech Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committee.  He was also past Chairman of his local Conservative Association and Huntingdonshire District Council.

Richard was a dedicated Freemason and a committed public servant who will be sadly missed by all.