Rev Dr Alan Stubbs migrated to Australia in 1947 from England with his parents, Jack and Frances. He served within the Methodist and the Uniting Church for nearly 60 years.
His engagement with the church commenced in the late 1950s in youth activities at Bagot Road, Subiaco. During this time, he met and married Dorothy McKay and together they have travelled Australia at the call of God through the Methodist and Uniting Churches.
Following interviews for Home Mission Service in 1961, he was appointed Home Missioner to the then developing town and district of Esperance in 1962. In 1963, he candidated for the Methodist Ministry while serving at Mundaring. He spent the next four years as a student pastor, while engaged in study at Barclay Theological Hall and the University of Western Australia. As a Probationary Minister he was appointed to Gnowangerup in 1968 and was ordained in 1969.
Following time spent in the then Upper Avon Circuit (Pingelly, Brookton and Beverley), Alan spent time working at Channel 7 and the Christian Television Association, leading to time at Wesley College teaching Media Studies. During this time he completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in journalism. At the inauguration of the Uniting Church in Australia, Alan, together with Rev Terry Luckett, were appointed Associate Editors of Western Impact, the predecessor to Revive.
Alan became involved with the Wesley Army Cadets and was commissioned as a Reserve Chaplain in 1978. In 1979, he transferred to the Permanent Army, initially posted to Puckapunyal and then Training Command in Sydney. Before returning to WA in 1990, he spent time as General Secretary for the Board of Communication within the NSW and ACT Synod.
His ministry concluded after appointments to Gosnells and Armadale, during which time he served as Chairperson of the Peel Presbytery and continued engagement with Defence Reserve Chaplaincy in the Royal Australian Navy and on many church committees. Despite this workload, Alan completed his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) during this time.
In retirement, Alan committed his time to providing pastoral support to ministers and congregations while devoting much valued time to the defence veterans’ community with advocacy and support.
Throughout his life, Alan offered genuine friendship, support, humour and care as he served in many and varied ministries.
On 7 August 2018, he lost his battle with illness and died peacefully in hospital. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his children David, Simone, Ngaire and their families.
John Dunn