David de Pury

David de Pury was born in 1931 in Kasauli, India. Educated at Clifton College and Queens' College, Cambridge, he graduated with a degree in modern languages – French, German and Mandarin Chinese – after which he entered the British Diplomatic Service. In 1957 he was posted to the embassy in Beijing as Third Secretary, but shortly afterwards resigned in protest at the British government’s actions in the Suez crisis.  After a very brief period in the City of London, he joined the Colonial Service as a District Officer in Kenya, where he met his wife Pat. They married in 1958 and their three children were born during this time. The family left Kenya when independence was declared in 1963.

David later chose to work in international development, first for War on Want in 1971 as Field Director in India and Bangladesh, then in 1973 he joined OXFAM. David dedicated himself to developing OXFAM’s work on projects in India, Cambodia, sub-Saharan Africa and finally, in one of his most challenging posts, in Sudan. He retired in 1991 and was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his work in international development with a focus on Sudan, in 1992.

During his time with OXFAM David also made a significant contribution to research: he helped develop a disaster ‘early-warning’ system in sub-Saharan Africa and led a report on the Arms Race and its cost to nations of the Global South. He reported for the Geneva-based International Council for Voluntary Agencies, advising on broad-based strategies to develop support infrastructure for refugees fleeing conflict and climate adversity in Africa.

David was interested in everyone and always believed the best of people he met. An active gardener, he was increasingly interested in environmental issues and a keen supporter of local, green politics in the UK. In later years, David and Pat moved to Kent to be near family and their small home was always crowded with their children and grandchildren, neighbours and friends. David had a deep and sustaining Christian faith which he shared with his wife Pat. They remained active members of the community at St Dunstan’s, Cranbrook well into their late eighties.

David de Pury is survived by Pat, his widow; by their children Kate, John and James and their grandchildren Libby, Reuben, Olga, May and Alice.