Merry Christmas

Good Morning Stephen, Wishing you Merry Christmas.

Abby

I know it's too late but I just want to say that I'll miss seeing him at the Kallang river.

ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG

From The Straits Times Photo Gallery :

http://www.straitstimes.com/gallery/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_180546.html

Mr Stephen Loh (front row, second from left) on a class outing with his Secondary 5 students while he was a trainee teacher at First Toa Payoh Secondary in 2005. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF PNG WEI SIONG

From The Straits Times Photo Gallery :

http://www.straitstimes.com/gallery/Latest+News/Singapore/STIStory_180546.html

National Junior College's online "News Article" :

Stephen Loh - A Tribute

26th Nov 07

Stephen was a promising teacher who, in the course of these six months with us, had given of himself to his students and his work. He inspired and encouraged the squash and track and field members and put in place an innovative physical conditioning module to help them peak in performance. He showed initiative when he was involved in organising our Games Day as well as YLTC in October and November respectively. He conceptualised a new leadership module that helped his students relate the experiences encountered during the YLTC back to the College’s leadership values. His diligence, foresight and enthusiasm revealed his love for all that he did.

Stephen found meaning in teaching and in sports. His students will always remember him as a caring mentor and a dedicated teacher who went out of his way and gave of his time to his students. He helped them see the possibilities in and for themselves and inspired them to pursue their interests with passion.

As a colleague, Stephen went the extra mile to lend a helping hand. He never took anyone for granted and his colleagues always had a wonderful experience working with him.

Stephen will be dearly missed by staff and students of the College.

* For staff, students and parents, you may refer to site on KM specially set up on Mr Loh.

Written By: NJC ,
College

FROM :

http://www.njc.edu.sg/index.php?option=news&task=article&id=97

NTUlink - Issue February 2006.

Salute...

Mr Loh,

老天真不公平。。。

天下无不散之宴席,
眼见一位善良的人在那种情况之下一是隔绝，我不禁流下悲伤的眼泪。
有一个开始，就一定有一个过程，接着有一个结尾。
天若有情天易老，为何对此人这么不公平呢？
好人就不能长命百岁吗
好人就不能有好报，不能过好日子吗？
有一个开始，却没有过程就来一个结尾？
老天真不公平。。。

I still remember the day I first saw you introducing yourself as a trainee PE teacher in our school. I even laughed at you, calling you a "boxing kangaroo". Despite knowing just your name I know that you are a kind and gracious guy who simply cast those remarks aside and make changes to please those around you. I, myself, feel guilty and really salute you for being so forgiving.

From,
Student of yours who purposely ignored your instructions during PE lessons in MSHS.

I can close my eyes to reality, but not to memories

It was difficult to accept the reality that you have left.

Though it has been a good six or seven years since I recalled last training with you, the memories still remain.

You were a source of inspiration; with your resilient strength and silent confidence, you made light of the tough trainings. I remembered most about your smile - it never fails to lighten up the mood in the boat however rough the going got.

I will miss seeing you at Kallang.

Haikang
London

Stephen to Stephen

Stephen Loh,

During that meeting, I asked you your name and you said "Stephen". You pronounced it as "steFan" instead of the common "steVen". I said I was "Stephen", too, pronouncing it the same way, delighted by the coincidence.

You were somebody many leagues above me, and I was a nobody, many leagues below you. I am sure you knew that, but you did not mind.

As you did to others in other ways, you changed my life in just one memorable chance meeting. I experienced "euphoria" and "exhilaration" beyond their dictionary definitions. Now I am experiencing "heartache", "heart-wrenching" and "ruptured aorta", also beyond their dictionary definitions.

You are still changing my life. Thanks. Stephen Ho.

Stephen's Eulogy

Over the course of the past few days, I have come to realise that many have not seen the different facets of my brother, Stephen’s character. Please allow me now to share a little bit about Stephen.

Stephen the Athlete
Not only was Steph incredibly strong and muscular but he was very athletic to boot. After all, his students nicknamed him “Mr Muscles” for a good reason. However, what made him special as an athlete was his focus, drive and determination. His team mates will all testify that Steph gave no less than a hundred percent of himself during both training and in competition. He was extremely dedicated to his passion of dragon boating and if he was not training on the water, he would usually be found in the gym. In reaching the zenith of his sporting passion, by becoming an established member of the national dragon boat team, my family will always be proud of all his sporting achievements.

Stephen the Inspiration
There are many who teach, and there are the rare few who inspire. Steph would certainly belong to the latter. Reading through the numerous messages left by his students, who even though only knew him briefly, the common theme was the word- Inspirational. He went the extra mile for his students by showing concern, offering words of encouragement and even giving extra help to them outside of normal teaching hours. Some students even went as far as to say that his short time with them was nothing less than life changing.

Stephen the Friend
Although he was never one who would give into wanton displays of affection, however he through his quiet ways, he would always be there for a friend. A man of few words, Steph would be the one to provide a listening ear and give words of comfort. He would probably buy you coffee and say “eh don’t worry lah, its gonna be ok”. I’m certain all his friends from Church, St Andrews, Commandos, NTU, Dragon boat and NIE would dearly miss having his comforting presence.

Stephen the Son,
Throughout his growing up years and into adulthood, He was an obedient and filial son who was never a cause of worry for Mom and Dad. He was constantly on top of his studies, well disciplined and was excellent in managing his time wisely. Once again, he would seldom display his affections physically, but he was always concerned with the well being of my parents. Steph; Mom and Dad are most proud of all your achievements whether it was in school, or when you became an Officer in the Commandos, paying for your masters through a scholarship, representing our nation in dragon boat and most recently, for leaving such a wonderful legacy amongst your students.

Stephen my Brother
Daniel and I would certainly recall fond memories of the three of us growing up as kids. I certainly remember that during the WWF era, I would always be used as their life sized wrestling toy. All three of us shared a common love for Liverpool FC and we would watch live matches on the TV late into the night and cheer and scream hysterically whenever Liverpool scores. When I was studying abroad, he would always ask if I needed money and whenever I would thank him for his support, he would simply reply, “eh come on, we are brothers”. Steph, I have always looked up to you as both a older brother and a role model and have respected you for being the wonderful person that you are and I will continue to do so.

And now allow me to end my eulogy with a beautiful poem written by the National Junior College Track and Field team.

Our Tribute- A Poem
Just as the mist rises
Then vanishes down the stream
Mr Loh too has come and then left us
Today seems like it was a dream

That he was once so much a part of us
That he loved and lived as we do
Just like a fish that a fisherman threw back into the stream to go on its way
That is what he’s doing today

See the sun glitter
Though our tears are bitter
Just like the salmon’s leap
He’ll always be there in our memories deep
He’ll always be there in our memories deep

Goodbye Steph, I love you, we all love you and we will always miss you and you will be close to our hearts forever

Stephen's younger brother
Gideon Loh

brothers

you taught me to fight.
to live life as we like.
to make everything worthwhile
to never look back
you show me the spirit of life
you inspire me to leap
you give me strength, to look up to the skies
there i see you, flying strong and high
thanks, for we hug we smile we sweat
thanks, I go further because you are here
thanks, for we are brothers, today, forever

i remember you.

dear stephen,

i will always remember how u readily gave me ur shirt the very first time i met you. that pe tshirt probably meant nothing to you cuz u must have had many nice singapore team shirts, but the small gesture really struck me that u were a really nice guy.. much contrary to my first impression i got when i saw ur muscular build. heh :).

i will always remember how you are always friendly to me whenever u saw me around.. u were always full of smiles, even towards the other neighbours whom u dont really know. and also, how u seem to be forever hanging clothes outside your room without ur shirt on ;). i remember your stories about your naughty students.. and also your passion for dragonboat. i remember the last time i saw u, it was at sdba and u were running late for training. i was late for my kayaking class too. thus, we only said a quick hello. well, i wish i talked to you more then. those few minutes of lateness now seem so insignificant.

hmm.

even though we only conversed that few times.. u have left an impression in my heart. u know, i lost the shirt you gave me back in hk on a tour.. but i know.. the memories of you will be here to stay.

rest in peace, stephen. u make us singaporeans proud.

River Regatta 2006

Hi Stephen, i am sitting in the office today. daydreaming..drifting away in thoughts.. You know something... we humans are a bunch of asses... WHY do we need to have something like this to happen before everyone realized or start pouring out how great he/she is/was.. how much we will remember them for... how long they'll stay in our hearts etc etc etc how some even reassuring the whole damm world how safe or a nicer place they are right now.

CRAP DUDE.. USELESS.. TOO LATE.. Stephen, im sorry if i sounded rude. I'm pretty pissed off in fact for the past few days when D broke the news to me. It was like WHAT THE F**K!!!.. of all people u??? Freaking 1st Commando Battalion Officer.. dragonboater.. and u cant pull urself out of that capsize incident?? i dont know, if the rest can come out of it. why not you?? WHY..WHY WHY WHY..........

As your fellow commando officer.... if u're still around in camp together, you ought to know what you'll get for failure to extract yourself from dangerous situation and f**ked up along the way yeah??... haha i shall not remind you.

Stephen, yesterday i met up with most of my close friends and very unlikely of me... i actually took the chance to express how important each of them is to me..and guess what, they were actually delighted that i cared so much and they pretty much understood where it came from.

I don't really give a damm HOW many hearts u touched.. but u for sure made one here very sour and miserable... nuff said. I'm glad we got acquainted.. shared the same commando/dragonboat experience.

Stephen.. till then..PADDLES UP! AWAS! & FOR HONOR & GLORY....... COMMANDO!!! -G

NJC track team's tribute to Stephen Loh

This poem was read by teacher Stephen Loh's younger brother, Gideon at the end of his tribute.

Just as the mist it rises


Then vanishes way down the stream


Mr Loh too has come and then left us


Today it seems like a dream


That he was so much part of our lives


That he lived and loved as we do


Like the fish that a fisherman threw


Back in the stream to go on its way


And that is what he is doing today


To a bright new world, see the sun glitter


As he drifts from sight, though our tears are bitter


We know that he, like the salmon's leap


Will always be there in our memories deep.

More than a teacher... but a friend

Mr stephen loh....
more than a teacher but but a friend..
although he taught us for less than half a year...
he was already more than a teacher but a friend to us....
remember him giving us extra lessons after school from his own free time to make sure that we score wif flying colours in maths....
he will always answer our questions when we r in doubt....
We will never forget him....
Always in our memories...
luves..:]
student from mshs 2 benedict....

Dear Mr Loh

Dear Mr Loh,

it's really a pity that you had to leave us so early. Through all entries posted by your students, it is really obvious that you are a great teacher, a great educator and a great friend. It's a pity that i wasn't your student. How i wish you would have taught me. Still, no matter what..your story touched my friends, many other singaporeans and definitely myself. We lost a great man. You will be a great role model to many, including myself. A guy who has passion in everything he does. A guy who's forever there to bring joy to the people around him. Mr Loh, REST IN PEACE. Deeply missed.

From Eugene.

More than just a teacher.

I remember the first day Mr Stephen Loh walked into our class.
We didn't expect our mathematics teacher to have such and athletic build.
Hence the name Mr Muscle after the dish-washing liquid ad.
He did all he could to make sure we excelled in mathematics, staying back after classes to give us supp lessons.
He was teaching us Linear Graphs, and most of us couldn't draw the graph lines properly. But he never once got angry at us. He stayed back and made sure we got it right. Our maths grades improved greatly under him.
During PE lessons it was the same. He was patient with us, no matter how noisy we were.
Our class received an email after we invited him to our class gathering. It mentioned him teaching at NJC and to drop by and say hello if we enrolled there.
We never thought the next time we would see him was at his wake.

Mr Stephen Loh was more than a teacher.

From the class of 2 Benedict '07, Maris Stella High School

Rest In Peace Mr Loh.

I will miss you.

Well, to me, Mr Loh was a teacher, a friend, a pillar of support. No words could describe him well enough. He seemed so macho to us, seemed so strong, so strong that nothing could bring him down. However, he was hard on the outside and soft on the inside, somehow like a big friendly giant.

He never scolded us as a class, he believed more in using the soft way then the hard way. The only time i remembered him scolding us when he broke up a fight between 2 of my classmates.

I remember going to him toask for extra lessons in maths, he agreed readily. He was unlike other teachers..He had that nothing is impossible spirit in him...When I told him i really CMI(cannot make it), he would nt scold me, but kept ask me to try again till i got the answer. He was an extraordinary teacher, a one of a kind.

I remember complaining to him that the class was too noisy. But he never gave up on us. He had that nothing is impossible spirit in him.

I remember him coming to me to ask for feedback after the lesson he taught us. He humbly accepted our comments. He was really a GREAT TEACHER.

He will always have a special place in our hearts, more than a teacher and a friend.

Rest in peace, you will be remembered and missed.

Your student.CY.

when i heard this news i was shock

and i cant accept this fact just awhile.

eventhough i dont know the five heroes .

budd i still felt shoo sorry ferr them.

its a great pity of losing them.

budd we still need tu pull through this hard time.

i saw mr stephen loh once on 2004.

and thad was my primary school teacher wedding crermony.

eventhough i saw hym just once,

budd whenever i watch the news or fliping thru the newspaper my eyes

will automatically flow down the tears.

rest in peace the five rollers.

loveees,

sadd fellow singaporean. ):

I don't know any of the 5 fine gentlemen personally but I sure wished it wasnt through this painful and horrible way. You were representing Singapore, it shouldnt have been this way. Each time I see your pictures in the papers, my eyes well with hot tears. I am touched by your passion and dedication to things you truly believed in. It's more than what most of us can attest to have done. Rest in peace. My thoughts are with your families through this very difficult time.
A sad fellow Singaporean.

Stephen...

THough I do not know you in person but I've always seen you at Kallang and I know you by face... Rowers are like family... there are so many of us but we may not know everyone we sure do recognize each other as SDBA would most probably be regarded as most rowers as our 2nd home...

I may not know you but I would definitely be sure that you are greatly missed by your family, friends, love ones and definitely by your teammates...YOu are like the Old bird in the team and i admire your determination and strength and team spirit..

Take care my friend.. Rest In Peace for you will be deeply and vividly kept in memories by all.

In loving memories..

Charmian..

Memories

We remember teasing him for being short.
We remember teasing him for being fit;
Big body, small head.
We remember teasing him and another teacher as gay partner.
We remember teasing him and a new female PE teacher as couple;
He got frustrated till he show us his gf's pic.
We remember teasing him for wearing tight t shirt and short to show off his muscle.
We remember teasing him for wearing a fake Addidas t shirt(the logo was dented in);
He stopped wearing it and came in wearing a Nike t shirt.
We remember teasing him for his ugly and small handwriting;
He actually went home to practise it.
We remember him being real patience in teaching us.
We remember not greeting him when class starts.
We remember joking and fooling around while he is teaching.
We remember him looking real funny when he is blur.
We remember him stammering sometimes while he is speaking;
We remember laughing at him.
We remember going out on a dragonboat outing with him after graduation;
He almost vomit blood and faint when teaching us.
We remember he walking towards us with his bright orange short that strikes out among his tonned body; I remember we go "woooooo-ing" and some of the girls were drooling.
We remember treating him for lunch after dragonboat at suntec city.
We remember taking group photos.
We remember parting our ways after that.

It's more than words i could actually describe what a great and respectable guy he is.
It's a great loss to many.
It's heartbreaking to hear the news of him passing away.
It's just speechless to whatever had happened to him; It's just tears.

Attending his wake before he set off on his journey is truely an agony to all of us, students. May he rest in peace.

We love you Mr Stephen Loh.

Love,
Suet, a student(FTPSS) of his.

Condolences from USA

We extend our deepest sympathy to families and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - The NJ Dragon Boat Club, USA

.in memory of you.

hi love!!
i may not know you & i know heaven is a place for you now.
may you rest in peace ... AMIN!!

luv & light,
juL!
http://julinikita.multiply.com/

He shall be remembered

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.
They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make.
Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.
We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.
-Leo Buscaglia -

For all the people he had made a difference in their lives... let us celebrate his life the way he wanted us to.... with our heart, mind and soul....

hugs

Of Stephen & Boon San

I shall dedicate this entry to Stephen and Boon San. This is not an obituary nor eulogy - this entry is just a brief account of the memories they have left in my mind.



Stephen, was, at first sight, cold and unfriendly. Dark and fierce-looking, albeit with a cute voice - if hilariously - spoken, he was more like a favourite teacher than a hardcore paddler. I never expected we could communicate because I thought he would not want to waste time talking to people not within his league - but I thought wrong. As a friend, he was really sincere and truthful, as a teammate, he never say die, and as a school mate, he was always there to give advice. His personality was magnetic: never pass judgement on others, and his happy-go-lucky attutide was infectious - people around him are always smiling.

Stephen completed his course in NIE last semester. The last time I teased him and pissed him off was at Tianjin airport when I hid his motor-learning textbook away. The last time we had lunch together was a few weeks ago before the exam when he was back to do some project. The last time he praised me was during one of the last land trainings. The last time I raced with him was during Regatta in the Civil-Service category under Team MOE. The last time I chatted online with him was a few days before Cambodia.

Stephen was a very sincere friend. He would never say no to his friends' requests. He willingly lent me his harddisk and notes as reference. He was never boastful with his exceptional fitness; and the 'xmas-tree' at his back was idolized by all. He was an inspiration and a great motivator. Though he's gone now, he will always be in our hearts, our minds.

Boon San and Stephen had something in common - they were both very fit - on land and in water. They were well-known in the team for their pristine pace-sense in competitions. Not just that, they possessed immense mental strength that were unmatched by many. They would, join the school team for trainings - straight after theirs with the national, without complains; and they never failed to deliver the consistent effort required from them.

As a figure of speech, Boon San was someone I love to hate - for I can't do the many things he could do well in. He was a very real guy. He may sound like he had the knack of picking up a fight with anyone - but we all know he had a soft and caring heart. He was well-loved by all in the team, for his valuable contributions and pinpoint accuracy in giving feedback and debriefs. Boon San's results and work attitude were very positive. From a proofreading of his FYP, it was evident that he had took pains and effort to producing that few hundred pages of writeup. It showed how well he balanced and managed his school works and training, and it also showed how disciplined and responsible he was as a team-player.

I remember there was one occasion in the library last year - when he blew his top at me and threw my bananas away. I was very affected by it, but when we spoke again at night, I know he was, in actual fact, very harmless. This shows something very interesting about friendship - we are only affected by those who are nearer and dearer to us.

Boon San was the quintessential Jim Carrey and never failed to humour us with his jokes and impersonations of the funny characters in tv. Remember the visa card advertisement when the day breaks behind the hills in the rural backdrop of Rajasthan... and a little girl trots towards the village bazaar; and Boon San's famous line: "My brother is going on a journey today. I want to bring him good fortune", and "if you free the birds, you give good luck. More birds, more good luck", followed by the we-know-it's-boon-san's whistle.

Fly away, he has now, like the birds. We know he, and Stephen, will be watching after us from above.



It's not a loss, but a COMPLETE loss to the nation and to the team. And it really hurts to see two great friends just passed on like that.

Your presence defines the true meaning of 'one team'.
You have etched in us memories that will be remembered.
You made us see and learn many things that many others would never experience.
You turned us into fighters and left behind a benchmark for us to emulate.

Boon San, Stephen,
Thank you very much


Andy

This song is for you...

信乐:-天高地厚
作词:武雄
作曲:詹凌驾 keith stuart

你累了没有可否伸出双手
想拥抱怎能握着拳头
我们还有很多梦没做
还有很多明天要走
要让世界听见我们的歌
准备好没有时间不再回头
想要飞不必任何理由
不管世界尽头多寂寞
你的身边一定有我
我们说过不管天高地厚
想飞到那最高最远最洒脱
想拥抱在最美丽的那一刻
想看见陪我到最后谁是朋友
你是我最期待的那一个

可以一起闯祸一起沉默一起走
可以一起飞翔一起沦落
不管天高地厚陪着我
陪我一起大声狂吼
想飙到那最高最远最辽阔
想唱完那最感动的一首歌
没看见那天高地厚不肯放手
因为我有我想要的朋友
你是我最想要的朋友

You lived your life doing something you love, and have etched in us memories that will always be remembered.

you both inspired us to be fighters, like yourself and left behind benchmarks for us to emulate.

fly away brothers, like birds in the sky,
we know you will always be watching us from above.

Dearly missed and always remembered by your brothers inthe boat,
NTU Dragonboat Team
NTU Dragonboat Alumni Team