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<!--Article Info--> Those were the happy days ...
Goh Kian Chee on his father, Goh Keng Swee
by Clement Mesenas,Today
05:55 AM May 26, 2010
<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script>
SINGAPORE - Mr Goh Kian Chee recounted yesterday the happy times he spent with his father - former Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee who was cremated on Sunday - playing chess, discussing politics, and accompanying him on holidays. But he also spoke of the sad times over the last two decades, after his parents divorced and Dr Goh remarried, when he saw less of his father.
"It was very hurtful as we were very close - even speaking over the phone with him became difficult as he had developed hearing problems," said Mr Goh (picture), 68, the only son of Dr Goh, a key founding father of modern Singapore.
Dr Goh's three great-grandsons have inherited his love of chess.
But his greater love was for golf. "He was almost a single handicapper and when I was working in London, he came over with my mother and headed for Edinburgh. He wanted to play at St Andrews. We were all so happy and relaxed, when we went later to the idyllic Lake District," said Mr Goh.
What was the best thing he learned from his father? Total commitment to excellence - Dr Goh applied this both to work and to golf. He won the Singapore Pro-Am, partnering Australian pro Peter Thomson, in the 1960s. Even better, Dr Goh scored several holes-in-one over the years.
Mr Goh's parents married in 1942 in the dark days of the Japanese Occupation - Dr Goh was a 24-year-old tax collector in the War Tax Department, Madam Alice Woon a 17-year-old clerk-cum-secretary in the same department who would help him find his glasses when he misplaced them.
"She was a dutiful wife. They did not talk about his work when he became a minister, but she was very supportive of him. She fussed over him and was very concerned about his safety," said Mr Goh. His parents - "she called him Bing because she thought he could sing" - were married for 40 years.
Mr Goh learnt of his father's death from his younger son. "My younger son telephoned to tell me of my father's death. I broke the news to my mother. She kept quiet for a long time - she was very distraught."
Mdm Woon, 85, has not been "terribly mobile" for the last five years. She did not attend Dr Goh's funeral.
Mr Goh was grateful to the Government for honouring his father with a State funeral. "Over the last 10 days, very many people have expressed their deep concern for my father. It is impossible to thank each and every one of them, and I would like, on behalf of my mother, to convey our thanks and warm regards," he said.
He also described his mother and Dr Goh as having spent the best years of their lives together. She stood by him when he was at his "creative best, young, hale and hearty, energetic".
"She deserves a tribute for her role, and the nation ought to remember this when it wants to appreciate Dr Goh's life and contribution to Singapore," said Mr Goh.
"When she is ready, I will offer to take her to the columbarium where his ashes are," he said.
<!--Article Info--> Those were the happy days ...
Goh Kian Chee on his father, Goh Keng Swee
by Clement Mesenas,Today
05:55 AM May 26, 2010
<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script>
SINGAPORE - Mr Goh Kian Chee recounted yesterday the happy times he spent with his father - former Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee who was cremated on Sunday - playing chess, discussing politics, and accompanying him on holidays. But he also spoke of the sad times over the last two decades, after his parents divorced and Dr Goh remarried, when he saw less of his father.
"It was very hurtful as we were very close - even speaking over the phone with him became difficult as he had developed hearing problems," said Mr Goh (picture), 68, the only son of Dr Goh, a key founding father of modern Singapore.
Dr Goh's three great-grandsons have inherited his love of chess.
But his greater love was for golf. "He was almost a single handicapper and when I was working in London, he came over with my mother and headed for Edinburgh. He wanted to play at St Andrews. We were all so happy and relaxed, when we went later to the idyllic Lake District," said Mr Goh.
What was the best thing he learned from his father? Total commitment to excellence - Dr Goh applied this both to work and to golf. He won the Singapore Pro-Am, partnering Australian pro Peter Thomson, in the 1960s. Even better, Dr Goh scored several holes-in-one over the years.
Mr Goh's parents married in 1942 in the dark days of the Japanese Occupation - Dr Goh was a 24-year-old tax collector in the War Tax Department, Madam Alice Woon a 17-year-old clerk-cum-secretary in the same department who would help him find his glasses when he misplaced them.
"She was a dutiful wife. They did not talk about his work when he became a minister, but she was very supportive of him. She fussed over him and was very concerned about his safety," said Mr Goh. His parents - "she called him Bing because she thought he could sing" - were married for 40 years.
Mr Goh learnt of his father's death from his younger son. "My younger son telephoned to tell me of my father's death. I broke the news to my mother. She kept quiet for a long time - she was very distraught."
Mdm Woon, 85, has not been "terribly mobile" for the last five years. She did not attend Dr Goh's funeral.
Mr Goh was grateful to the Government for honouring his father with a State funeral. "Over the last 10 days, very many people have expressed their deep concern for my father. It is impossible to thank each and every one of them, and I would like, on behalf of my mother, to convey our thanks and warm regards," he said.
He also described his mother and Dr Goh as having spent the best years of their lives together. She stood by him when he was at his "creative best, young, hale and hearty, energetic".
"She deserves a tribute for her role, and the nation ought to remember this when it wants to appreciate Dr Goh's life and contribution to Singapore," said Mr Goh.
"When she is ready, I will offer to take her to the columbarium where his ashes are," he said.
Thats why divorce....
, but don't tell Dr Goh the price, he only want pi,chi & tua liap nee ! 
