Tribute provided by his daughter, Claire Tatham.

The Revd John Ralph Pritchard was born in Bradford, Yorkshire on 15 April 1941. From Manchester Grammar School and Bristol University he came to Fitzwilliam in 1963 as a member of Wesley House. His first appointment was to the Ivory Coast with his wife Pat, where he ministered to a far-flung rural circuit of over 80 chapels, and then as Port and Industrial Chaplain in Abidjan. 

In 1975 he returned to Britain and, after serving in Sheffield and in the Gosport and Fareham Circuit, he was appointed to the Methodist Church Overseas Division as Africa Secretary (1986-1991), and General Secretary (1991-6). These posts entailed extensive travelling and he preached on six continents. Following a sabbatical spent in Hong Kong in 1991, he led two ecumenical delegations to China (1994, 1997) and later chaired the Friends of the Church in China. His last appointment was in Croydon as Superintendent. 

John was a prolific writer, publishing essays, journal articles, courses, reviews and books, including his seminal two- part work ‘Methodists and their Missionary Societies 1760-1900 and 1900-1996’, which he wrote in an active retirement in Hassocks, West Sussex. 

He also chaired the governors of Southlands College in the University of Roehampton, serving on the Council of the university. John continued to recognise and seek opportunities to foster the exchange of people in all areas of church life across the globe, and his vision and enthusiasm for the world church helped to enthuse others. He served as a representative of the Methodist Church for over 60 years. 

Diagnosed with cancer during retirement, he continued to care for his dear Pat who died earlier in the year, playing croquet with modest local success and singing and playing piano. 

He is survived by his children Claire and Paul, and three grandchildren, Daniel, Bethany and Nicola.