Robert Tay’s baby

Last night at our Club 100 dinner, I caught up with Robert Tay who worked with me some 20 years ago. He joined us as a pupil in 2003 and stayed with us for a few years doing good work. He left us after his son was born as he wanted to spend more time with his son. I remember him telling me that when he and his sisters were growing up, his regret was that his father was always so busy that he never spent time at home and with them and he did not want to be like his dad. His father was Dr Tay Eng Soon who was a Minister back in the days of LKY.

Even then Robert was IT savvy and he now works for the Government.

I introduced him to Foong Daw Ching yesterday and Daw Ching immediately remarked that Singapore should be so grateful to Dr Tay because he was instrumental in focussing on adult education and starting VITB, the precursor to our present day ITE.

Robert reminded me that when his son was born, he had brought him to the office and the boy sat on my lap in my office back in the days we were at the Bank of China office. He also sent me 2 photographs of that day! That boy is now in medical school.

How time has flown!