The Bishop of St Asaph and others write:
THE Revd David Rees, who died on 15 January, aged 76, was born
in Carmarthen, son of William Hugh Rees, a cleric who was
Archdeacon of St Asaph in the early 1970s. David was educated at St
John's School, Leatherhead, and Jesus College, Oxford. There, David
was one of those stable, sensible, relaxed, and very talented
people who greatly helped those who are none of those things.
He did voluntary work in a remote part of Nigeria, before
returning to train for the ministry at Westcott House. After being
ordained in Manchester Cathedral in 1964, he served his title at St
Philip and St Stephen, Salford, under the strict guidance of Canon
Gwilym Morgan. He returned to Oxford to gain a teaching diploma,
and taught for seven years at Long Eaton, Derbyshire, where he met
and married his wife, Janet, in 1974, at St Michael's,
Breaston.
Together they moved to Liverpool, where he became chaplain of St
Margaret's C of E High School in Aigburth. He combined the
pastoral, spiritual, and educational aspects of chaplaincy within
the school, and increased the profile of religious studies as an
academic discipline in its own right.
David will be particularly remembered for the wit and charm he
brought to the pursuit of knowledge as a means of enjoying God. His
approach to learning was something you caught rather than were
taught. A former pupil mentioned the influence David had had on his
life, and on many other boys, several of whom have since been
ordained priests. While in Liverpool, David helped with the
training of Readers for the diocese, was a tutor for the Aston
Training Scheme, and a Selector for the Advisory Council for the
Church's Ministry.
In St Asaph diocese, where he was incumbent of Meliden and
Gwaenysgor for more than 24 years, David's work was a faithful
response to the gospel call of discipleship, in the best way he
knew. He offered himself wholly to the Church of God with an
intellectual energy, theological application, and love for his
people. Beyond his parish, scores of ordinands and diocesan Readers
have been recipients of his wisdom, pastoral care, and learning,
including the present Dean. Others have referred to him as an
inspiring teacher, a fantastic vicar, a true Christian, and an
exceptional man.
He was made Canon of St Asaph in 1993, and became Canon
Chancellor in 1996. The appointment was due to his academic and
intellectual contribution to the diocese. He retired in 2008.
He was a member of the Hymn Society for many years, and wrote a
hymn for the diocese, which was sung at his memorial service in the
cathedral. He also wrote a hymn for St Margaret's school centenary
in 1979, which has been used since as the school hymn. He gave the
annual Hellins Lecture in 1998, about hymns. He was the gentlest of
gentlemen.