Dear Kok Fu,

Do you remember the first day we met as ‘freshies’ at the then University of Singapore in 1968 to read law? Since then, we have known each other throughout our different stations of life. Let me reminisce for a while.

At the University of Singapore (1968–1972)

You proudly claimed that you completed your School Certificate at the prestigious Raffles Institution in 1965 and did your Higher School Certificate (‘HSC’) in nine months as a private candidate in 1967. You confirmed your academic prowess by excelling in law school. While I was busily engaged in non-academic student activities, you were religiously attending lectures and tutorials. You would then generously pass your lecture notes to me and receive my constant complaints about your incomprehensible handwriting.

We shared a rented room at Farrer Road which has since made way for a flyover. Between lectures, we would spend countless hours at the Union House arguing with Lawrence Khoo about politics and religion. We also spent much time arguing passionately about the Vietnam War. On both subjects, we were on the same side against Lawrence. On the War, Lawrence was finally converted to our side, that the Americans had no right to be in Vietnam. On Christianity, I think Lawrence won you over towards the end of your life. In this respect, I hope that both of you are right.

We had the usual fun that all university students have. We were ragged, and we ragged in return. One of the ‘freshies’ that we ragged was Charles Tan (now in Perth), who became a lifelong friend. In 1971, the three of us decided to backpack overland to Europe for six months.

Backpacking Overland to Europe (1971)

As a cautious man, you were initially reluctant to join Charles and I on this pioneering and reckless trip. However, as my best buddy, you did not want to miss out on the exposure and experience of that trip.

Do you remember how we were nearly frozen to death in Darjeeling, India, where we went like tropical idiots with no idea about the sub-zero temperature and without winter clothes. Today, we read about the war-ravaged countries of Afghanistan, Iraq and maybe Iran. We had walked the peaceful streets of Kabul, Baghdad and Tehran in 1971.

We went our separate ways in Europe because no prudent driver would pick up three young Asian hitchhikers at the same time. We agreed to meet again in Munchen, Germany to find work to supplement our low budget. You and I found each other as appointed. Charles missed us and went on to Berlin. He found a job sorting out big and small Coca Cola bottles.

We were luckier as waiters at the Regina Palast Hotel – of course, until I was sacked for beating up that Italian waiter and spitting at the Captain. All this because Testori refused to share his tips with you, and even took away your off-duty and precious Saturday night. In our situation then, who cared which night of the week we got off? But then, the young frauleins got their nights off on Saturdays and invariably ended up at some pubs in Schwabing. That was where we were heading for! We did get lucky, didn’t we? As a pledge of loyalty to a friend, you resigned when I was sacked.

The three of us came back separately to resume semester. As was your usual responsible self, you returned to university well before term commenced; Charles a little later and I, well 
after that.

After Graduation (1972)

You became a pupil of the late Mr David Marshall and Mr Chan Sek Keong (then). You were proud to highlight to me only recently that your Master is now the Chief Justice. With Jeanny Ng, we initiated a petition to the then President of the Law Society, Mr Graham Starforth Hill, that pupils should be paid an allowance. All pupils in 1972 signed the petition and I had the unpleasant task of presenting it to my own Master, Mr Hill. We succeeded to the extent that the Law Society did recommend that pupils, at the discretion of the Master, should be paid an allowance of at least $200.00 a month, a princely sum in those days.

You had to serve full-time National Service in the army. You found some good buddies there. They were at your funeral service.

You took leave on 24 November 1973 to be the bestman at my wedding. You know that it was no coincidence that I chose that date. We were trying to avoid having to exchange wedding anniversary and birthday gifts every year thereafter.

My Partner (1976–1985)

After National Service, you joined M/s Nathan Isaac & Co as a legal assistant. That was where you met your lovely wife, Jane. In 1976, you were persuaded to join me and we formed the partnership of Lee & Cheong. As a partner, you could always be relied upon to deliver our clients’ work. You were also the administrator of the firm. You were a man of integrity; remember we used to refer to our clients’ account as the ‘untouchable holy cow’?

I still miss the days when we were young, enthusiastic and idealistic lawyers. We would sit down and discuss our cases with unlimited zeal. As we shared a flat in Pandan Valley, we even brought our work home together.

In 1985, in the interest of career development, we parted as partners. You teamed up with your brother to form Cheong & Cheong in 1986, while I teamed up with mine, but could not name it Lee & Lee, so we settled for Lee Brothers.

M/s Cheong & Cheong to M/s Guofu (1986–2006)

For reasons best known to you, you decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with me just 10 days before you went to keep your appointment with your Lord.

I could sense the pride that you had in building up your law practice. At our age, some of us are apprehensive about anything electronic, but you had computerised your firm and even won the CCH Legal Technology Best Implementer Award in 2003. It may please you to know that Law Society President, Mr Philip Jeyaretnam SC, had this to say about you, ‘He was a well-respected member of the profession, a gentleman who took pride in his professional work and in recent years, an interest and commitment to practice management excellence.’

In your quest for knowledge and self-improvement, you went on to obtain your Graduate Diploma in Business in 1987 and your LLM in 1989 from the National University of Singapore. You also qualified as a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators and a full Member of the Singapore Institute of Directors.

You had ambitious plans for your practice and had even begun tapping into the Chinese market. Unfortunately, your Lord had other plans for you. May you rest in peace.

If I have to write an epitaph for you, my friend, it would be – Lived; Respected; Died Regretted.

Your friend,

Tow Kiat

Lee Tow Kiat

Lee Tow Kiat & Co