A DUNDEE church organist was found dead at home by the preacher who had gone to see why he had not turned up for that day’s service.
Andrew McHutchison’s body was discovered at his home by Bruce Gowans, who was concerned that he didn’t arrive to play the organ at St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Downfield on Sunday.
“This is terribly sad for all of us,” said Mr Gowans. “Andrew was a valued member of our church and had played the organ with us for about 20 years.”
Mr McHutchison (68) lived alone and had no close family. The church and the Tayside organ playing community were his main interests.
The Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton, the Bishop of Brechin, said: “Andrew was a faithful servant of St Luke’s for many years, and he will be greatly missed by the congregation and the community.”
Tribute was also paid by friend and organist colleague Robert Lightband, who said: “He suffered from long-term ill-health, so his sudden death was not a total surprise. He will be much missed.”
Mr McHutchison was born and raised in the Arbroath area and his professional life was spent in accounting, much of the time for the education departments of local councils.
After he retired he became freelance and worked for a local garage.
“He was best known as an organist and amateur organ builder,” Mr Lightband said. “He started playing in a number of Arbroath churches and then moved to the Lowson Memorial Church in Forfar.
“He then moved to the Scottish Episcopal Church and was organist for many years at St Luke’s, Downfield, where his long-term project was to install the organ from the now-demolished church of St Luke’s in Lochee.
“He was active in the Tayside Organists’ Society.
“His organ playing was well above average and he gave advice to churches on the upkeep of their instruments and the rebuilding of them.”
A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: “Officers attended a house in St Mary’s about 12.10pm on Sunday following the sudden death of a 68-year-old man. As with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
It is understood there are no suspicious circumstances.
aargo@thecourier.co.uk