OBITUARY: TAN CHIN TUAN (Nov 21, 1908 – Nov 13, 2005)
MR TAN CHIN TUAN, an Old Boy of Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) who had become almost iconic for his generosity to his alma mater, died on Nov 13, 2005.
In his time, he made a series of donations amounting to more than $10 million for buildings and facilities in the ACS campuses. The more recent include two successive sports complexes at both the old Secondary School and the new campus at Barker Road and a well-appointed school auditorium at Dover Road.
A performing arts centre at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, and an auditorium at the proposed new campus of the ACS (Junior) are in the pipeline. All named after him, they are a public affirmation of his belief in the importance of education and a memorial to his formative years in the ACS.
At his funeral on Nov 17, music was provided by the ACJC Choir and orchestras from the other ACS units.
His father, Tan Cheng Siong, a Chinese immigrant who became a successful businessman and banker, was a supporter of the Rev J. S. Nagle’s Anglo-Chinese College project, and transferred the young Chin Tuan to ACS at the age of 11. Even at that tender age, he showed exceptional resourcefulness and maturity beyond his years.
However, his education was interrupted by his father’s untimely death, and after an extended period of upper secondary work, transferred to the ACS Commercial Department and completed his Commercial Certificate in 1925.
Offered a position as junior clerk at the age of 17 by his father’s friend, See Boo Ih, Managing Director of the Chinese Commercial Bank (CCB), he rose rapidly, his ability catching the eye of his superiors. Rapid promotion developed into a lifelong association with the CCB and the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) formed when CCB merged with the Ho Hong and Oversea Chinese Banks in 1932, eventually rising to the position of Chairman, as well as of 14 other public listed companies.
He entered the world of public service in 1939 when he was appointed Municipal Commissioner, besides being involved in various fund-raising campaigns for the Chinese and British war effort. After the war, he returned to Singapore to become a member of the British Military Administration Advisory Council, and subsequently the Governor’s Advisory Council. He was then appointed a member of the Singapore Legislative and Executive Council, capping his public service when he was appointed Deputy President.
His association with ACS, however, had continued even as he was rapidly rising the corporate ladder and engaging in public service. In 1938, he was elected President of the Old Boys’ Association, serving until 1941.
After the war, he served as a member of the OBA Building and General Committee that played an important role in the construction of the 1950 Barker Road buildings and gave generously to the project, a habit which continued until the present.
School chaplains, CMS hold dialogue with Bishop
SOME 60 school chaplains and Christian Ministry Staff (CMS) gathered at Sophia Blackmore Hall at Methodist Centre for a time of worship, fellowship and thanksgiving on Oct 27, 2005.
These chaplains and CMS serve in the 15 Methodist schools which have a combined strength of 22,000 students and 1,200 teachers.
After a sumptuous lunch and a joyful worship session led by the Truthmin worship team, the Rev Dr Norman Wong, Director, Ministry in the Schools, gave a comprehensive presentation on the work being done in all the schools.
Participants then had the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, with the discussion covering the issue of sharing our faith in local schools.
He shared a message based on John 6, about the little boy who was brought before Jesus with five small barley loaves and two small fish, and how the Lord Jesus blessed a crowd of 5,000 with more than enough to eat.
Drawing from the passage, the Bishop focused everyone’s attention on the 22,000 children in our Methodist schools. He reminded us that every one of these lives is precious to our Lord – not only the smartest but every single child, whatever his or her strength.
May our Lord Jesus continue to bless each pupil and multiply the work that is being done in our schools today.
Eunice Chan is a Lay Professional Staff at Barker Road Methodist Church and a Christian Ministry Staff at Anglo-Chinese School (Primary).