Senior Deputy Principal Mr S Magendiran delivered a very moving eulogy at Mr Tan Kim Cheng's wake.
I joined RI as a teacher in January 1985. It has been a most rewarding and satisfying career being able to be part of RI all these years. One of the many blessings of being able to serve in RI is the privilege of knowing Mr Tan Kim Cheng – a legendary figure who is sometimes fondly called Captain Tan or Uncle Tan by Rafflesians and the school staff.
These two words of endearment- Captain and Uncle, will tell you how highly he was regarded by the Rafflesian community, young and old. It is a mark of profound respect for a man who breathed and lived RI as a teacher and mentor.
The sudden passing of Uncle Tan deeply saddened the alums and staff members who knew him personally. It was a deep shock for the many of us who admire and respect him. His passing led to an outpouring of how much we appreciated him as a teacher and mentor. Through social media as well as the many face-to-face conversations that followed when we found out that he had passed away, we learnt of the deep affection which so many people had for him. He might have had a booming voice that would command immediate attention, especially for the Secondary 1 boys who would freeze in their tracks, and which could also bring the whole school to a standstill - but just underneath that stern, gruff exterior was one of the most caring hearts you could hope to meet. Uncle Tan was a gentleman who had a big heart for students and RI.
Uncle Tan joined RI in 1963 and served 4 Principals till his retirement in May 1987. He was with them during the school’s defining moments - Mr E W Jesudason (who whipped into the school a strong sense of spirit, particularly with the introduction of the Institution Anthem) , Mr Philip Liau (who saw to the move from Bras Basah to Grange Road), Mr A K Sigamoney (who had to manage the separation of the Pre-University Classes as they split off and became RJC) and Mr E Wijeysingha (who before Uncle Tan’s retirement had begun the sensitive discussion about RI’s becoming independent).
I am most fortunate to have Uncle Tan as my mentor when I joined RI. He radiated passion and energy and I was completely mesmerised by him. At that point, I was in my mid-20s and he was about to retire in 2 1/2 years. I could not have asked for a better mentor than Uncle Tan to have inducted me in the way of RI and the Rafflesian ethos. I must have caught some aspect of that Rafflesian spirit to now walk a modest fraction of his footsteps and remain true to RI in service all these years.
To understand Uncle Tan better I am reminded of the quote by the founder of the institution, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. This quote is on the bust of Raffles at the school’s atrium:
“Would that I could infuse into the institution a portion of that spirit and soul by which I would have it animated as easily as I endow it with lands”.
Uncle Tan caught that spirit that Raffles spoke about. RI to him was more than bricks and mortar. There is a soul within an institution like RI. RI represents the Hope of A Better Age and he knew what it takes to nurture Rafflesians holistically. Character mattered most to him and he asserted, in no uncertain terms, that Rafflesians must be grounded on solid values. This aspect of nurturing Rafflesian was something that he impressed upon me the most when I shadowed him as a young and beginning teacher.
For Uncle Tan, the lessons of life that are learnt in RI had to transcend the academic classroom. He knew that the playing field for sports, the parade square of the uniformed groups, and the halls and theatre of the aesthetics within and beyond RI – all these contributed much to the growth of a Rafflesian.
It is not surprising that he led and revived RI NCC to a position of high honours and made a difference to the lives of all the cadets under his charge. Prior to joining RI, he was legendary in Bartley Secondary School as its NCC officer. When Mr E W Jesudason left Bartley School in 1962 to Head RI, he brought Uncle Tan over to RI in 1963. The rest was history. RI NCC in particular never looked back.
He also took charge of the school tennis teams and continued playing the game even after he retired from the education service, and on Sundays the old RI at Grange Road became his Wimbledon for tennis. Without fail, he would call me yearly to track the progress of the school sports teams when the school sporting season started. He would be the first to call me to congratulate or encourage regardless of the outcome when he read the news of RI tennis in the papers.
His heart was always with RI. He was a regular participant in our annual Founder’s Day. When I took the role of Acting Principal last year and had to deliver the annual report, Uncle Tan was one of the first to step up after the ceremony to offer compliments. He was always there for me.
When we started to revive the Raffles Archives and Museum in the second half of 2013, Uncle Tan was most generous to donate his most treasured memorabilia from the school back to the school.
Grand farewells are meant for Principals of RI upon retirement or posting to a higher appointment. Very few exceptions have been made for others unless you are in the league of Uncle Tan. Uncle Tan’s farewell ceremony turned out to be a rousing and emotional farewell on 22 May 1987 because all present that day felt for him. And he surprised all of us with an emotional farewell song entitled “My Wish (May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You) “. There were tears that day.
When RI moved from Grange Road to Bishan and even though Uncle Tan had retired, the honour of carrying the symbolic torch accompanied by the school flag for the last leg of the journey to the new premises was bestowed upon him. I had no difficulty in convincing Mr Wijeysingha and the Prefectorial Board who should be conferred that honour.
All these actions point to something special about Uncle Tan. Uncle Tan never left RI. He never retired from RI all these years. Uncle Tan in my books is an epitome of that spirit and soul Raffles spoke about.
To all Rafflesians, do heed the message of a life dedicated to RI. In his farewell message in May 1987 he hoped “that Rafflesians will keep the school flag flying high and maintain the Rafflesian spirit”. That clarion call is timeless and that is the best way to honour Uncle Tan and preserve his legacy.
To the family of Uncle Tan, on behalf of Raffles Institution, we offer you our heartfelt sympathy and deep condolences. We too grieve over your profound loss. Thank you for sharing him with us at Raffles Institution and in that process allowed him to enrich and bless our lives.
Uncle Tan – as you sung that beautiful song in May 1987 , it is also “ My Wish ([that] the Good Lord Bless and Keep You) “ as you rest in eternity.
Captain Tan- one final salute to you for having been a tremendous blessing in our lives.
S Magendiran
Senior Deputy Principal (Student Development)