1.6.1946-25.5.2005 |
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My father was born on the 1st of June, 1946, just after the Second World War. His parents, my grandparents, who had gone through hard times during the Japanese occupation, expressed their thanksgiving and blessings with the birth of a fourth child, their third son in the first year of ‘World Peace’, by naming him ‘Pin Nan’, which means ‘Peaceful Year’ in Chinese.
He grew up with his brothers and sister in Pudu, in the heart of KL. It was long before I was born, so I do not know much except that they played table tennis, watched football, listened to music together, and attended the same primary and secondary schools. He studied in Victoria Institution, and had a command of English and creative arts that was the envy of most. He graduated from Australia and achieved his most loved ambition as an architect. He also loved to go on adventures with friends and his brother Onn Nen, my uncle, in Australia. My father treasured the fond memories of the happy times they shared together and always dreamt of taking my mum and me to Australia, where he could share his younger days with us, too.
Back in Malaysia, he worked hard and eventually started his own architectural practice. Workmanship and efficiency were top on his list. He could be exacting and demanding where quality and efficiency of work were concerned, but his staff all know he meant well and remember him as a very kind man. He would spend a lot of time and effort teaching them. He worked for the satisfaction of creating good buildings, and not just for money. He was a very honest and sincere person, even when it was difficult for him in the business.
My father was a rather private person, but he enjoyed stimulating discussions with small groups of people. He loved his family and all children very much, and took a great interest in their education. When I was a baby, he had me wear a crash helmet to protect my brain. We would play chess, Scrabble, and games of our own devising, and worked on projects together. He would always encourage me to be creative. He spent long hours with my mum discussing the best options for my education. I am deeply grateful to him for getting me where I am now.
He loved classical music, and was most fond of the Classical and Romantic composers Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Liszt, Chopin, and Schubert. He had studied piano himself and could play a couple of pieces by the famous composers Mozart and Beethoven, and had deep insight about music. He would always encourage me to try playing new pieces, which tremendously aided my musical development.
My father was also a handyman in his spare time and made various improvements to our house. He wanted me to live in comfort when I came home.
My father had a natural bond with animals. He enjoyed watching wildlife documentaries on TV, and kept a dog, a golden cocker-spaniel, called Floppy. When I was sixteen we took in a stray cat Cath, who eventually gave birth to two kittens which he called Leo and Lei. It was relaxing for him to play with them.
He liked cooking, and would season his food with plenty of salt and pepper no matter what the dish. He had his own peculiar concoctions: fried eggs with thick black soy sauce; soft-boiled eggs; and “Egg Rice” , which was one of my favourite dishes. He was obviously fond of eggs. I remember one of our last few phone conversations. I had to excuse myself to prepare dinner. He wished me goodbye, and said, “Whack in an extra egg for me.” I thought of him as I did so.
My father died on the 25th of May, 2005, as a result of a brain aneurysm and intracranial haemorrhage. He will be alive forever in our hearts.
Yen Lee, 2005.5.26, with help from Uncle Onn Nen