Remembering Patrick

Patrick Ang passed away early this morning.

He was a colleague from the very early days, later our Managing Partner for 6 years and a good friend.

Yesterday evening I had a call from Kim Beng and I was informed that Pat was in ICU. His cancer had spread and he had collapsed during chemotherapy. He was on a ventilator.

I was shocked. I thought his cancer was under control. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer a year ago but everytime we met, he seemed fine and he told me it was under control. We would talk and drink coffee whenever we bumped into each other at the courtyard. He only complained that he had to be on medication his whole life. He was still traveling, meeting people and attending events.

But according to a friend, when he saw Pat on Sunday he was weak but still in good spirits and was in fact planning a trip to Bali with this friend. But that was not to be.

The downturn was so sudden.

Pat joined the firm in 1994, just when I did. We were part of a dinner group that met once a month since the early days till about 2010. But I only got to know him much better when he became Managing Partner. We used to discuss the firm, projects and people. We talked about politics a lot. He was always responsive and helpful and always there to lend a listening ear.

One topic we discussed a lot was how we can effectively reach out and help people in a meaningful way via our Foundation. But Pat had so many things that needed his attention and it was a pity we never firmed this up.

After he was diagnosed with cancer, we spoke a lot. He sent me his reports for a second opinion and the prognosis was good. Just not sure how it went downhill so fast. He stepped down as Managing Partner only April this year.

A friend we had lunch with last year just reminded me that during the lunch, Pat was talking about slowing down and retirement. That never happened.

He was just 61. So many things he would have wanted to do in retirement but never got to do.

Strangely I am reminded that this was the same age my good friend Noris Ong was when he passed away from cancer some 15 years ago.

Rest in Peace Pat. You have done well with your family, friends and colleagues.