Categories Provincial Notices Death of the Revd Canon Rowan Q Smith Post date 24th May 2018 Fr Rowan Smith We regret to announce to the Province the unexpected death yesterday of the Revd Canon Rowan Quentin Smith, a former Provincial Executive Officer and former Dean of Cape Town. Father Rowan broke his hip in a fall at St George’s Cathedral on Good Friday, and appeared only recently to be recovering steadily. He was educated at Kensington High School, Cape Town, King’s College, London, and St Boniface Missionary College, Warminster. He was ordained Deacon in St. Nicholas’ Church, Matroosfontein in 1967 and Priest in St. George’s Cathedral in 1968, by Archbishop Robert Selby Taylor. He spent the decade from 1977 as first a novitiate and later a professed member of the Community of the Resurrection, serving for a period as Chaplain to St. Martin’s School, Johannesburg. After being released from his vows, he became in turn Chaplain to the University of Cape Town, Chaplain to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Provincial Executive Officer until Archbishop Tutu’s retirement. He then served as Dean of the Cathedral from 1996 until his retirement in 2010. His funeral will be held in the Cathedral at 9 am on Saturday June 2. May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory. ← Church Provides New Guidance for Survivors of Abuse → Diocese of Natal Advertises Post of Diocesan Secretary 10 replies on “Death of the Revd Canon Rowan Q Smith” A prayer in memories of Revd Canon Rowan Q Smith. I know I am weak Lord, so I will allow you to carry me through this valley. I struggle to think clearly, so I depend upon your word to lift me. I feel such darkness around, so I look to your light. I walk with a heavy heart so I will give you each burden. I wonder if my heart can take the strain, so rest in your love and peace. Ilight a candle tonight to remind me of the warm glow of your hope in dark places. AMEN Very sad. Condolences to the family. We met Revrd at the house of my uncle and aunt. George and Lena Potgieter. I have been in a daze all day Wednesday. I cannot believe the Rev. Canon Rowan Q. Smith is gone. He was one of the finest priests I’ve ever known. He was my boss when I served at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town and Rowan was the Dean. Yet he was so much more: Rowan was a mentor who helped shape a young priest. He was a friend great colleague. My dearest memories are of the times just the two of us would pray the Daily Office together. Along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu they are the two most spiritual people I know. Rowan and his sister Deborah Grace Smith with the large Smith Clan hosted the most wonderful Cape Town Sunday lunches. Debbie’s cooking and Rowan’s hospitality were nonpareil. I am just heartbroken. My prayers go out for Debbie, her daughter Bianca, and the entire Smith family – siblings, nieces and nephews. Requiescat en Pace Rowan Smith, Hambe Khale! Resto informação Peace Revd. Rowan was a man truly blessed by God. His shining light upon all those at St. Martin’s School and in his various parishes will shine in them for all their lives. His humility, sense of humour and graciousness were a privilege to see. Rest in peace, my friend. Michael Withiel (Rev.) Msy his soul rest in peace and ruse in Glory. We will really miss him. May the goo Lord accept u in heaven and all my prayers to the family of Smith, Cathedral of St George and the entire Diocese. Mst he rest in glory Dean Rowa Smith. Rowan was/is a very good friend – we met as Fellow students at Kings College London and at St Boniface College Warminster and have remained firm friends ever since. I am presently on my annual retreat At St Boniface College and it has always been my tradition to write to Rowan each year from Warminster. I so miss so doing that this year. May Rowan rest in peace & rise in glory. I was saddened to learn of the death of Fr Rowan. I remember Rowan well as he was twice dispatched to help out my dad (the Rev Doug Jones) @Easter (probably 78/79) in the Parish of St Mary’s Middleton Leeds while he was at the CR Mirfield. He left a very strong impression that would later see me teach for 12 years in Botswana. I had often thought of trying to meet up again but it never quite happened. On November 9th aged 90 my dad joined him after a long fight with Alzheimer’s . Only just seen this obit’ now. My sincere condolences to all who knew and loved Rowan. I knew him all my life. We had the sort of friendship where we could call each after years and resume the conversation exactly where we left off. This time he is just not there. Leave a Reply Cancel replyComments are moderated and may take a few days to appear. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Δ
A prayer in memories of Revd Canon Rowan Q Smith. I know I am weak Lord, so I will allow you to carry me through this valley. I struggle to think clearly, so I depend upon your word to lift me. I feel such darkness around, so I look to your light. I walk with a heavy heart so I will give you each burden. I wonder if my heart can take the strain, so rest in your love and peace. Ilight a candle tonight to remind me of the warm glow of your hope in dark places. AMEN
Very sad. Condolences to the family. We met Revrd at the house of my uncle and aunt. George and Lena Potgieter.
I have been in a daze all day Wednesday. I cannot believe the Rev. Canon Rowan Q. Smith is gone. He was one of the finest priests I’ve ever known. He was my boss when I served at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town and Rowan was the Dean. Yet he was so much more: Rowan was a mentor who helped shape a young priest. He was a friend great colleague. My dearest memories are of the times just the two of us would pray the Daily Office together. Along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu they are the two most spiritual people I know. Rowan and his sister Deborah Grace Smith with the large Smith Clan hosted the most wonderful Cape Town Sunday lunches. Debbie’s cooking and Rowan’s hospitality were nonpareil. I am just heartbroken. My prayers go out for Debbie, her daughter Bianca, and the entire Smith family – siblings, nieces and nephews. Requiescat en Pace Rowan Smith, Hambe Khale!
Rowan was a man truly blessed by God. His shining light upon all those at St. Martin’s School and in his various parishes will shine in them for all their lives. His humility, sense of humour and graciousness were a privilege to see. Rest in peace, my friend. Michael Withiel (Rev.)
Msy his soul rest in peace and ruse in Glory. We will really miss him. May the goo Lord accept u in heaven and all my prayers to the family of Smith, Cathedral of St George and the entire Diocese.
Rowan was/is a very good friend – we met as Fellow students at Kings College London and at St Boniface College Warminster and have remained firm friends ever since. I am presently on my annual retreat At St Boniface College and it has always been my tradition to write to Rowan each year from Warminster. I so miss so doing that this year. May Rowan rest in peace & rise in glory.
I was saddened to learn of the death of Fr Rowan. I remember Rowan well as he was twice dispatched to help out my dad (the Rev Doug Jones) @Easter (probably 78/79) in the Parish of St Mary’s Middleton Leeds while he was at the CR Mirfield. He left a very strong impression that would later see me teach for 12 years in Botswana. I had often thought of trying to meet up again but it never quite happened. On November 9th aged 90 my dad joined him after a long fight with Alzheimer’s .
Only just seen this obit’ now. My sincere condolences to all who knew and loved Rowan. I knew him all my life. We had the sort of friendship where we could call each after years and resume the conversation exactly where we left off. This time he is just not there.
