Born: 30 June, 1941, in Edinburgh. Died: 29 February, 2008, in Dundee, aged 66.
DAVID Cowan was born in Edinburgh, the younger child and only son of Dr James and Merryl Cowan. Dr Jimmy Cowan, FRCP (Ed), was a general practitioner in Penicui
k who reached the rank of colonel in the RAMC during the Second World War. After schooling at George Watson's College and Glenalmond, David went on to Edinburgh University and qualified as a doctor in 1965. He became FRCS (Ed) in 1969 and from 1974 until his retirement in 2006 was a respected ENT consultant in several Edinburgh hospitals. As a young man he attained much success at golf and that game provided him with much pleasure and companionship throughout his life, often at Elie where his mother had been brought up, and where he holidayed as a child and later with his own family.
David enjoyed a successful career as an ENT surgeon. The decision to train in that branch of surgery was taken soon after his graduation in 1965 and his attainment of FRCS Ed in four years and consultant status in nine years underlines his ability, diligence and aptitude. He developed a special interest in ENT surgery in children and was a highly regarded and popular figure at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. In addition he had a busy career in adult ENT at the City and Western General Hospitals with a special interest in hearing; he was a kind doctor – universally liked by colleagues and patients – and a calm, confident and precise operator. His standing was high, as a co-author of two textbooks, a Royal College examiner, and with terms of office on the Council of the British Association of Otolaryngologists and as ENT adviser to the chief medical officer in Scotland.
Success at golf will have in part been due to parental encouragement, and the opportunities at Elie and Glenalmond, a school with its own private golf course. David was an inspiring captain of an Edinburgh University team in 1963 which won both Scottish and British Universities Championships. The year before he had been a finalist in the British Universities and had, in his First Royal & Ancient Medal, had a one at the eighth at St Andrews and also claimed a medal. He represented the Scottish Universities and the Lothians, and won innumerable competitions at Elie. His short game was memorable; there can never have been a more decisive chipper and putter. Although back surgery cut short his competitive career he was an active member of the R&A, of the Honourable Company, and Elie. He especially enjoyed foursomes and was a hugely popular member of the Pirates, a society which plays only that form of the game.
David married Eileen Masterton, a physiotherapist, in 1966. Their marriage was blessed with three sons and a daughter, all of whom have attained sporting and professional success, and their devotion to their family was the centre point of their lives. He and Eileen, after years in the Braids, moved to Kellerstane House at Gogar in 1998. Eileen, who had always been vigorous and healthy, fell fatally ill and died in May 2002, when she was only 59. After Eileen's premature death David resumed and completed his career and, retiring in 2006, looked forward to active retirement in Edinburgh and Elie, where he had a second home. He sustained a brain haemorrhage whilst golfing at Muirfield in early 2007 and, after several months of convalescence, was able to go home to Elie where, with characteristic determination, he was able to live independently with some assistance. In October last year, he fell at home in Elie, breaking a hip, and in a long and painful aftermath of this never uttered a word of complaint. He finally left hospital to stay initially with his daughter on 22 February, and enjoyed a happy family weekend. He sustained a further brain haemorrhage on 25 February and died without regaining consciousness, four days later.
These bare details of David Cowan's life do not do justice to his personal qualities. He was a person of great warmth, modest in his achievements, never critical of others, determined and uncomplaining, loyal and encouraging to an immense circle of friends, and as devoted to his children and grandchildren as they were to him. It was a fitting tribute to him that around 1,000 people attended his memorial service at St Cuthbert's earlier this month; it was said then that this was an occasion when everyone was bereaved, not simply the family. His death leaves a gap in many lives.
David Cowan is survived by his three sons and daughter, by six granddaughters and one grandson, by his mother, and his elder sister.
The full article contains 798 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
