THE REV Robert Howieson, the last provost of Newport and one of the farthest travelled members of Dundee Presbytery, having served in south-east Asia, Africa, London and Edinburgh as well as in north-east Fife, has died aged 94.

Mr Howieson published a book of memoirs in March last year, covering his 67 years of service to the church.

Born in East Wemyss, he was educated at Edinburgh University, where he was captain of the athletics club, and at New College, where he was president of the musical society.

In 1935 he was appointed assistant minister at St Margaret’s in Edinburgh.

He then moved to Colombo, Ceylon, in 1937 where he worked as a locum tenens.

A year later he returned to Britain where he became assistant minister at St Columba’s, Pont Street, London. It was there that he met and married Isobel.

They moved to Nairobi, Kenya, in 1939 where Mr Howieson worked as chaplain to the forces during the Abyssinian campaign.

In 1946 the couple returned to Edinburgh, where Mr Howieson became minister at West Coates Parish Church.

In 1951 he became minister at St Thomas’s Church, Newport. He was moderator of Dundee Presbytery in 1968/69 and the first moderator of St Andrews Presbytery in 1976.

He was thanked by the Moderator of the General Assembly for 35 years of service to the General Assembly in 1985.

Mr Howieson was a member of Newport Town Council for 20 years and was the last provost of Newport.

He is survived by his four children—Sheena, Robin, Lesley and Neil—and six grandchildren.

During his free time Mr Howieson enjoyed golf and sailing.

His book, Thought For The Way, is a collection of anecdotes and stories that reflect on his life and highlight the sense of humour that his family will remember him by.