He Will Forever Be Missed

DAVID BLENKINSON

1940

2021

Remembering David

A faithful and humble servant of Jesus, who helps transform the lives of many in Glasgow and around the world.

Story

Born in Newcastle

JULY 30TH, 1940

The following tribute by Noël Peacock, Session Clerk of Sandyford, was given at the morning service following David’s passing.

It is an impossible task to speak briefly about David as he impacted the lives of so many, in Sandyford and beyond. But we’ll try! In his life, metaphorically, if not literally, David sought to climb Everest. Today in our tribute we can only get to the foothills.

David was born on 30th July 1940 into a family well-known for their commitment to public service. His father, Arthur, was a Labour MP for some 29 years, serving initially as a member for Newcastle and then later as MP for South Shields. During that time, David’s father held different portfolios, notably, from 1949 to 1951, that of Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, working with none other than Aneurin Bevan, the architect of the NHS and arguably the greatest ever UK Health Secretary. Among Arthur’s many interests was a love of the outdoor life, and he became the national vice-president of the Ramblers’ Association, an interest he shared with the young David.

David’s mother, Mary, was regarded as a ‘formidable’ woman in the Labour Party. She was also a significant influence in the Newcastle Citizens’ Theatre, a playhouse, like the Glasgow Citizens’, which helped launch the careers of many actors who were to become well known on the national and international stage.

David also had a brother, Keith, who is living in Newcastle, and a sister, Bridget, who died some six years ago. (See an early picture (left) of David as a wee boy and his brother and baby sister.)

David did not follow his father into politics and did not want to tread the theatrical boards. He worked on an oil tanker as an engineer and then until retirement served as an engineer with the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

David was married to Margaret in 1966, with whom he had a daughter, Moira (seen at her graduation). Margaret died in 1999. David later married Annabel; but sadly, the marriage ended in divorce.

Life was not always easy for David. But as his family have said, he sat

lightly to ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’. And unlike Shakespeare’s Hamlet, that ill-fated Prince of Denmark, David found his strength and support from the God in whom he had put his trust in earlier days. As he wrote himself, “But in life, there are many sad experiences, and through them, we hold on ever more tightly to Jesus and his total commitment to us, which can never be taken away.” And how much comfort he found in the wonderfully reassuring words of Paul to the Romans with regard to the reversals of providence:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (8:28)

The impact David had in Christian service is beyond calculation. To enhance his knowledge of the Bible he took a degree at the International Christian College in Glasgow. David’s burden was to take the gospel of Christ to the Chinese people. To discharge this, he sought as his base our church in Sandyford. There was nothing that David would not do or would not give to see people from China owning Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. He welcomed so many into his flat in St Vincent Crescent and gave much practical support.

His reach went well beyond Sandyford. Very shortly before David passed away he learned that a friend from Portsmouth, with whom he had had regular Bible Studies over the last fifteen years, had committed his life to Christ and would be baptised in March 2022. Many would queue up here to express their gratitude to David for all the help he had given to them. A We Chat site was opened. And within a trice, nearly 300 messages were sent from different parts of the world. Three extracts indicate the huge affection in which David was held and the gratitude for the kindness shown:

Over the years, whenever I have felt wronged and impoverished in spirit, without love or care, thinking of David is like seeing him pointing to Jesus and reflecting the bright light on Jesus’ face (Rachel Zhou, a former Friends International Reach Worker based in Sandyford).

[David] is the most beautiful Christian I have ever met. Knowing him for twenty years, I never heard him complain about anyone or anything. He was always so gentle, with a loving smile on his face. He has helped countless Chinese students and scholars, and he has travelled all over China. (A friend.)

David is God’s faithful servant, he will be remembered for his unceasing, unconditional love and friendship with hundreds of international students, academic scholars and all the people who stayed in his house. I am absolutely sure he won’t be disappointed as he meets the Lord face to face. (Sarah Yang, Sandyford Student Worker).

All of us here have our own memories of David, ranging from an emergency rescue entailing a 300-mile round trip from Glasgow to Lancaster to the hand of friendship to the stranger who passed by. And in Sandyford, what did David not do? He served as a Welcome Team Leader; a Board Member; the Halls Convener; a Bible Study Mentor; a Street Pastor; an Afternoon Fellowship Chauffeur; a Street Stall Worker; a Drop-In Helper; a Team Member of the Student Café, at which on more than one occasion he delighted us with a rendering of his native Geordie folk song, ‘The Bladon Races’.

Underpinning all this was David’s love of Jesus. And in fact, he would prefer us to speak about Jesus rather than about himself. And in the Thanksgiving Service (scripted by David), the focus will squarely be placed on David’s Saviour. His love of Jesus instilled a passionate commitment to the Bible and a desire to share the gospel with others, and he was always envisioning new

ways of reaching out to those without Christ. And what an example David set in humility. His servant heart was so evident in his not wanting any profile and always choosing the little space for himself. And most significantly, his life of prayer, both personal and corporate, led him to coordinate the Sandyford prayer walks.

To close, to take up again the image of climbing with which we began as we see David at the top of a snow-capped hill looking into the deep blue yonder. In 1924, two mountaineers, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine made what was the third attempt to climb the North Col of Everest. We do not know whether they reached the summit as they did not return. But it was said that when they were last seen they were ‘still climbing’. How true of David, who did indeed reach the summit, and passed with a smile on his face on 10th October into the presence of the Saviour he loved and served.

On behalf of the congregation, may I extend our deepest sympathy to David’s daughter Moira and her husband Keith, his granddaughter Catriona, his brother, Keith, and to the wider family and close friends.