Teddy – A good son to his mother, a good brother to his brothers, a good friend to one and all.

I first knew Teddy when we were both in Raffles Institution. Even at that young age, Teddy had already stamped his mark on those around him. Elected Vice Head Prefect, Captain of the basketball team, Gifted Education Programme student – Teddy was the role model that we aspired to. Later, in Raffles Junior College, he was my fellow Student Councillor, still Captain of the basketball team, still brilliant in his studies. I even remember the time when we went to watch "Beaches" together at the old Orchard cinema, with 15 out of 17 grown boys coming out of the cinema teary-eyed after they played "Wind Beneath My Wings". One of the two who didn’t shed tears was Teddy, and the other myself. We didn’t understand why everyone was so moved by the friendship of the two ladies and the subsequent death of one of them. When I was at Teddy’s deathbed, holding his hand for the last time, I understood.

The one thing I’ll always remember about Teddy was that he would always look out for his friends. It was through our concern for a common friend, KC, that we remained close. We would cajole KC, encourage him, tease him, do anything to make sure that he wouldn’t give up on his studies or his dreams. Teddy, wherever you are, I’m sure that seeing him graduate, you know that your efforts paid off. It was funny but it was after a mahjong session one night, and Teddy and KC were crashing over at my place that Teddy decided to join me at Imperial. He had been awarded the SIA scholarship, and had been offered places in other prestigious universities like MIT and Stanford in the US. I spoke my mind and he accepted my opinions. What madness! Give up the chance to go to MIT on the advice of someone who wouldn’t have been able to get in himself?! And yet, I knew that wherever he chose to go, he would shine.

In London, Teddy became the President of the Singapore Society, respected by all his peers. He was also a top student at Imperial, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing an active social life. Even with his busy schedule, he always made time for his friends. We would play football together on Saturdays, go to each others’ apartments for cookouts and drinks, have wild parties on each others’ birthdays. There is no one from Imperial who knew him and will not call him friend.

Teddy finished his studies in 1997, and was hired into GIC. It was a testimony to his undoubted brilliance and potential that GIC would buy over his bond from SIA. That December, exactly one year before his untimely demise, he was a helper at my wedding. He had discouraged me from getting married so young, but when my mind had been made, he was there to lend me his full support. We swore that one day when we are old and successful, we would go paint the town red in our beautiful Beemers. Now, that Beemer doesn’t quite seem so attractive anymore. Later the following year, the both of us had dinner alone just to catch up, and that was when I learned that he was single-handedly supporting his family financially. There were many things that he would have liked to do, but his main concern was the well-being of his mother and education for his brothers. It was then that I realised that much as I envied him for his gifts and brilliance, he envied me for having a happy family and a stable home. I respected him for taking on the role of sole breadwinner in the family, and more for putting his family as his first priority rather than himself.

Time flew, Teddy had gone to New York for his stint and before we knew it, he was back. He called to arrange a meal together in November, but I could never make it. Too busy, MBA classes, family commitments, but I thought I would still be able to catch him before he left for his long-term attachment in China. Then, on that evening of 5^th December 1998, I got a call during my D&D that something serious had happened to Teddy. I never drove so fast, with this sinking feeling in my stomach, wondering what had happened to my buddy. When I got there, it was already too late. The doctor had already signed his Death Certificate a few minutes before, and they were planning to switch off his life-support that midnight. I was stunned. No goodbye, no last words, just the steady rhythm of his life-support as he lay there as if asleep.

On the following Monday and Tuesday, the wake was held, and on Wednesday, his remains were cremated. He was a Christian in his beliefs, and it is a comfort to the rest of us to know that he is now in the company of the Lord. We pray for him and for his family.

What can I say except that it still feels strange to speak of Teddy in the past tense, and yet that loss is so real. Not until all his loved ones were gathered together at Mount Vernon to bid him that final farewell did that reality hit home. No, he was not going to be away for a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years. He was leaving us forever. And yet part of him still lives inside those of us whose lives have been touched by him.