Our class puts up a memoriam in the Straits Times on 8 March 2018

John Ng's tribute to Dr Anthony Goh

Mr John Ng

Mr John Ng's tribute to Anthony Goh…He is well-loved because He loves well.

I wrote this eulogy to a most wonderful friend, Anthony Goh to all of us in the Eagles for the last 50 years. He taught me how to live well, love well and end well. I am sharing this to encourage us to be a true servant, friend, and love.

Our dear Ant is a most faithful, well-loved friend and a loyal and contributing board member and volunteer of Eagles over the last 50 years. Blessed with a tenor voice, his first singing group, Hallelujah Voice, participated in a number of our outreach events. With his interest and passion in audio equipment and photography, he was always there, working behind the scenes and clicking away in all our events.

Endowed with a pair of finely attuned ears and an avid self-taught sound engineer, he was there to ensure that we have the best acoustic in all our events. He was always ready to guide our team of volunteer crew. He confessed sadly to me, when his cancer affected his hearing: "Losing the ability to appreciate music and good sound was the most dreadful loss for him."

1.Gracious Humility

If there is a definition of humility, Anthony's face will be on it. His posture, demeanor and behavior exemplified humility. He was always approachable. Although he was professionally competent, he often took a learning posture. Even when he served with us as sound engineer in all our events, he would listen intently to our needs and supporting us in any way he knew how, and always to guide our amateurish team. He was never condescending. When he disagreed, he would gently explain and correct.

At all our concerts, although a consummate sound engineer, no menial task would be too small for him. You would see him rolling up his sleeves, sweating away to roll the cables right & carrying heavy equipment till the wee hours of the night. Never complaining. Nobody will believe he was the head of nuclear medicine department at SGH. And often he would get Linda, his most lovely and loveable wife to do the same. She would do likewise, cheerfully and professionally.

2.Incredibly Competent & Responsible

Whether in his vocation as nuclear medicine doctor or volunteer sound engineer, he was always committed to excellence. As a volunteer, he was relentless in improving his craft, whether updating it was AV system or camera equipment or reading up on latest audio technology inn AV Magazines. He was an audiophile par excellence so that the ministries always have the best support.

As our board member, I valued him very much. He would take his responsibility seriously, reading every report, listening intently on issues. Supporting when we needed support. Correcting when we needed correcting. Giving constructive advice when we needed advice.

We always sought his wisdom. Although soft spoken, he would always spill out nuggets of wisdom. Together with Linda, both had given most sacrificially to our ministry not only in financial terms but also in effort and time. Always dependable, always truthful, always committed to the vision and core values of Eagles, and always relational. A true gentleman and a gracious lady. 

3.Deep Love

Even though he was Head of Nuclear Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital busy with his many appointments, teaching assignments, and diverse volunteering activities, he treated his patients with great care and deep love. He was never in hurry. He made his patients feel important and significant. This was his demeanor whenever he talked to anyone.

His deep love for people was best captured during the last few days in hospital. His doctor-friends, nurses, relatives and family members crowded his room during the last few days, paying not only respect but love. He was well-loved because he loved well. No wonder, he passed on smiling. 

To know that he has loved well and he is well loved is a testament to this great man. Ant has taught me how to end well. He has lived a rich life, helping others. What a way to go!

4.Dear Friend

Ant and Linda are dear friends to my family.

Meizhi, my youngest daughter, remembers Ant as a wonderfully cheerful person, "I will miss your smile and ever-clicking camera, your presence at Eagles Events. You have such a warm and calming presence all the time."

When my son, Shun first took up guitar as a budding guitarist and wanted to do a recording. Ant personally offered his home studio and gave him all the support. Never questioning him or demeaning him, he just wanted to support his journey. I can truly say that Shun would never be where he is today as a professional musician without his initial and consistent support.

Meixi, my oldest daughter, remembers him as someone who makes her feel special. She said, "Growing up I didn't even know that you were a doctor (until you helped mom), because you never talked about yourself but always asking how I was. You had the kindest ever-cheerful heart and worn that in your smile and in the twinkle of your eyes. You were often behind the scenes but yet your soft presence was felt throughout the room. You and Aunty Linda are loved by so many. I love you and will miss you."

My wife, Alison went to him for follow up care after her thyroid cancer surgery.  . He would carefully and clearly explain to lay people like us t the treatments, potential side-effects, and future interventions. Ant was always assuring , comforting, accommodating and  very gentle and helpful.

So, Ant, you have left an indelible mark in our lives: Gracious humility, incredibly competent & responsible, deep love and dear friend. Thank you so so much. You may have left us physically but your soul has not. We will remember you and I know you are now smiling because you have gone to a far better place, free from all pain and suffering. In the presence of our Saviour, who loves you so much that He wants you back for Himself forever.

Linda, you have been an amazing lover. You have been there for the last 5 years, always caring, always loving, seldom complaining so that he can be more comfortable. You too have shown us how to be a spouse. Thank you for modelling for me how to live and love. May God's peace and grace rest upon you as you grieve. You are not alone.

Our classmate Dr Anthony Goh Soon Whatt passed away on 3 March 2018.

Medical School days (3rd from left)

With Seng Heng (from left), Poh Kit and Mary John

Music Director of our class musical Downtown 

(front row)

At KE Hall (left back row)

With Professor Mary Rauff (standing right)

Clinical posting with Professor Seah Cheng Siang 

(front row left)

With his clinical group (2nd row left)

With Professor Cheah Jin Seng 

(standing first row left)

At a birthday celebration (first row left)

With classmates (back row right)

With classmates (2nd row 2nd from right)

At our class 20th reunion at Sentosa

(2nd last row 6th from left)

Music Director of Beatles Nostalgia

(extreme left)

With Seng Peng, Alex and Hock Siang at our class 

25th reunion at Grand Hyatt Hotel in 2004.

Answering question from Class Rep and 

fellow classmates at 25th Class Reunion

Group Photo taken at our 25th Class Reunion 

(last row extreme left)

With his colleagues at the 

Department of Nuclear Medicine, SGH 

(2nd from left)

At our 30th Class Reunion 

(2nd last row extreme right) 

Giving an update of himself at our 

30th Class Reunion at Royal Plaza Scotts in 2009 

 Answering questions from the floor

 With Keng Yeen and Soh Beng

With Chong Lye, Siew Hian, Kok Foo 

and Seng Peng

With friends at Sentosa Cove 

(2nd row extreme right)

With friends at Sentosa Cove 

(2nd row 3rd from left)