Canon Brian Mountford writes:
CANON Robert Reiss was one of a group of theologically liberal clergy trained at Westcott House, Cambridge, in the late 1960s. After serving his curacy at St John’s Wood, in north London, he returned to his Alma Mater, Trinity College, Cambridge, as chaplain, under the decanal leadership of Bishop John Robinson, whom he held in great respect. Bob was pastorally helpful to a great number of undergraduates, many of whom remained in touch throughout his life. His no-holds-barred student-discussion group included the future politician Oliver Letwin and the journalists Charles Moore and Edward Stourton.
In 1978, he was appointed as a selection secretary for what was then the Advisory Council for the Church’s Ministry (ACCM), experience that enabled him, just a decade ago, to earn a Lambeth doctorate with a thesis, The Testing of Vocation: 100 years of ministry selection in the Church of England. There followed ten years as Rector of Grantham and another ten as Archdeacon of Surrey, before his career culminated in a post that he loved perhaps above others, Canon Treasurer of Westminster Abbey. Here, his easy charm was often captured on television, greeting members of the Royal Family at the great west door.
A particular characteristic was his kindness and humour. When a Surrey clergyman turned up for his annual review in dinner jacket and black tie, Bob told him that he need not have taken such trouble, but the cleric explained that he could not stay long since he was on his way to Glyndebourne.
Bob was particularly hospitable when living in Little Cloister, often providing a room for an Oxford charity worker, who, on one occasion, brought a class of schoolchildren from Blackbird Leys, a deprived estate on the fringe of Oxford. Bob was so engaging with the children that, one little fellow who had arrived wanting to be Prime Minister left wanting to be a Canon of Westminster. Bob also had a range of anecdotes about church life, most of them true, to enliven any party.
In addition to his doctoral thesis, two books by Bob were published: Sceptical Christianity: Exploring credible belief and Death, Where is your Sting? He was not himself a sceptic, but stuck to his guns about faith. He recognised, however, how important it was for Christians to engage constructively with the critical questions, both intellectual and ethical, thrown at the Church by a sceptical and increasingly indifferent society. Credible belief was something that he had considered important for both the public square and pastoral engagement throughout his ministry. Theological integrity is what he had.
On a lighter note, he loved cricket; he was an all-rounder who could swing the ball a little and looked elegant at the crease. He learnt his cricket at the Brondesbury Cricket Club, in London, played for Westcott House, the London and Ely dioceses, and in London again in the Church Times Cricket Cup, when he worked for ACCM. He was a member of the MCC.
In later life, he was immensely proud of three things: the Lambeth doctorate, his appointment as a Canon of Westminster, and his daughter, Anya’s, success as a playwright. He cast his eyes down modestly at the mention of all three, because they delighted him so much.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie, and his daughter, Anya.
The Revd Dr Robert Paul Reiss died on 26 January, aged 80.
