Prof Tan Lee Meng

As I was walking to my lunch appointment yesterday afternoon, I bumped into Prof Tan Lee Meng just outside Scotts Square. He was on his way for his lunch at the Marriott.

Prof Tan was one of my favorite teachers and Dean at the law faculty.

He was already a professor when I was a student at the law faculty. He taught shipping and carriage of goods by sea. He was also Master of Raffles Hall.

For some internal political reasons, he was hardly seen at the faculty when I was a student. He spent most of his time at the hall.

He was a legendary master at Raffles Hall. He was so well loved by generation of students who stayed there, many of whom still speak fondly of their time there and of him.

He was my favorite lecturer for shipping because he was so clear, entertaining and captivating. He was the only teacher throughout my 4 years there, whose lecture I could sit through the entire hour without once looking at my watch. I remember he lectured without any notes. He was one of the very few first class honours students at the faculty and he was well known for his photographic memory.

He became Dean just when I had joined the faculty in 1987. And what a wonderful Dean he was. He had very close interactions with the staff and students regularly. He recruited many local teachers for the faculty and the students loved him. He always had an open door policy and you could see him and speak to him anytime about anything. Camaraderie amongst the staff, especially the younger ones, was strong during his time as Dean.

I remember he persuaded the university to provide funding for the purchase of a piano which was placed in the moot court and thereafter used regularly for student concerts.

A few years after that he left the faculty to become the deputy vice chancellor of the university. Thereafter became a high court judge. It was always a pleasure appearing before him because he was pleasant, would listen to you and would have read all the papers. Many a time after a hearing, he would call in the lawyers into his chambers and chat with them. Such wonderful days.

I am so glad to have seen him again. Of course he is now rather frail but good to see him still so sharp and bright and looking forward to his lunch.

This photo must have been taken in 1992 or 1993 just outside the law faculty. So many wonderful memories. And so many in this picture have since passed on….