A Fond Farewell, Lim Kim Quee, our Friend

Lim Kim Quee, our classmate of Sec 3BSc and the Raffles Institution Class of 67/69 cohort died on 10 June 2020. All of us mourn his loss. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Kim Quee was one of the tallest members of our class so he sat right at the last row, next to Jaidev and behind Leong Teep Khee. He was a quiet and unassuming person although some of us believed that at notorious Sec 3B Sc class in 1966, he was quietly mischievous. In the last 5 years he regularly attended the Class of 67/69 functions as well as met up with us in smaller groups. 

Some of us reached into the deep recesses of our minds, to bring up fond memories of our beloved friend, Kim Quee

Lionel - I saw Kim Quee in January 2020 at the DBS Bank in Holland Village. He looked well at that time or he did not want to tell me of his illness. Kim Quee was one who did not change his looks with age and he was one of the tallest member of the class. He stood tall but was always unassuming. He was in the 2101 Scout troop distinguishing himself as a Senior Scout and Rover. We will miss his passing dearly, another classmate lost through the passage of time.

Cecil - Met up him together with Seng Yeow and Chen Wen in Mar 2019. Sad that he'd passed on. (Cecil and Johnny Pang attended the wake to represent the cohort)

Seng Yeow - It seems like only days ago that we got together, and now he's gone. He was jovial and there was no sign of his ailment. Sad, we will miss him

Chen Wen -  We had a great time and we have a chat group called "Terrible 3" to reminisce the funny things we did as a trio.  I felt so blessed to be able to meet up with him in 2017 and in 2019. He showed no signs of vulnerabilities both times to me. Always enjoyed the fun we all had together.  In Sec 1, Kim Quee and I made it a point to attend every society and every house that came around to talk to members or to solicit new members.  We just made the excuse to get up and leave the classroom for a break. 

Lionel - Actually I think Kim Quee was quietly mischievous and did commit some pranks in Sec 3B Sc. We were in the same class in Sec 2A and Sec 3B Sc.

David Poon -  I never saw the mischievous side of Kim Quee. Maybe I was not close to him. To me he was a very pleasant unassuming guy. There is a certain degree of calmness when talking to him as he speaks slowly yet distinctly. That’s what I recall of Kim Quee. Sad, that I didn’t have a chance to meet him before he departed us 

Chen Wen - Although subtly mischievous, he was a very rational person.  I remember a few of us were randomly asked by a teacher which stream we would like to be in after Sec 2.  Almost without fail, every student asked responded "science" (what else?)  But Kim Quee's brave answer was "Arts".  At that time his answer produced a shock wave and most assumed he was only trying to be funny.  Looking back I think he knew where he would have preferred to go if he had a clear uninhibited choice.  But he ended up in science. Of course by now most already knew he was my astral identical twin brother; having been in the same class for each and every year in RI. Kim Quee also quietly a strong academic performer and writer.  His essays were read out a few times by teachers.  In Sec 1A he finished 4th in class in the 3rd term exam. 4th in class was no small feat when that class sent 11 into Sec 2A for the following year. I remember reading his General Paper exam for the first term in Sec 1 and his humourous answer to a question. The question was when will the next general election in Malaysia going to be held.  His funny answer was "it will be held very soon."

Lim Poh Seng - I was not close to Kim Quee. The last time I met him was at the lunch given by Huai Seng in Landmark Hotel on January 30 2019. He said to me that he understood that I was one person who enjoyed being in Sec 3B Sc. I told him that it was the only class that I could remember so much because I was kept very happy by fellow classmates’ antics and was always looking forward to going to class daily. He gave me a very big mischievous smile. Out of curiosity, I searched for Kim Quee’s postings in this chat room. I found that he only posted one on February 25 2020 after reading Lionel’s blog. I think it gave him great comfort because he mentioned he enjoyed reading our postings. 

Chong Huai Seng - My early memories of Kim Quee was a 2 day camp out by the beach which he organised for a few of us including Teep Khee, who I believe was close to his family. KQ's older sister, pretty & vivacious, helped look after the boys with food & singing. At the end of the camp, I was totally under her spell and wish we could stay forever. I was also thinking, KQ was such a lucky boy to have such a pretty sis that most boys would die for. At that time, KQ was staying somewhere around Farrer Park and seems to come from a fairly well to do family...at least when compared to me (and probably for most of us too)..but he never failed to help, always cheerful and was one of us all the way. We somehow lost touch when we started working but my fondest memories of him would be those summer days by the sea.

Wang Swee Chuang contributed this photo of the Camp by the Beach

Leong Teep Khee -  Yes remember the camping and his kind sis but can't recall the boys. I think I may have a couple of photos somewhere. During Pre U days we used to date 2 RI girls usually to Amigos nite club in Kitchener Road. I fancied the taller girl but pairing went naturally with height. Kim Quee, Ang Boon Chye and myself were quite close; scouting, same bus stop for school in Rangoon Road. Similarly lost touch after school 

Wang Swee Chuang - I recall KQ and Choon Siew were after the same RGS girl, one tall pretty lass we called Ms Yang, during our Pre U days. There was rivalry of sort but don't know the outcome. We all forgot about it after we left school. Some may remember we teased Choon Siew by calling him Mr. Yang. 

Cheong Hoh - Kim Quee is an unassuming person. I knew him since secondary school days though we were not in the same class. Last met him at Landmark Hotel, Huai Seng's birthday lunch. Sorry to learn of his passing. May his soul rest in peace.

Rajendran -  Kim Quee and I spent 4 years in 32nd Raffles (2101) from 64-67 doing many things that scouts do.  I have fond memories of those years. Then, we lost contact. We caught up during the lunch gathering for HS’s birthday at Landmark. We caught up on the years we were not together. It is heart wrenching to lose someone who was very hale and hearty, just a year ago. I pray that he did not suffer too much and may he Rest In Peace. 

Suntheralingam -  Regret to hear about the passing away of Lim Kim Quee. Met him a few times at our class gatherings at Belly View and Landmark Hotel. An unpretentious cordial guy who was my classmate in Pre-U 1/2 Sc B. My sincere sympathies and condolences to his family.

Some of us penned poignant memories and fond farewells to our beloved friend in the digital orbituary page

Chen Wen - My very dear classmate from Sec 1 through to Pre U 2 each and every year, very sad to see you leave so soon but very honoured and privileged to have been your classmate and your friend throughout my life.

Jaya Prakash - Kim Quee was the epitome of a gentleman, right from schooldays.He treasured friendships. We shall miss a good friend and a lovely human being. Heartfelt condolences to the family.

Johnny Pang - A fine gentleman with a gentle disposition and well-liked by his schoolmates.

Kum Hor - Kim Quee was ever the unassuming gentleman with a pair of " sweeper's legs" with his height in kicking football.You have run the race and ahead of us, may the Lord bless your soul. My deepest condolences to the family in this trying time. RIP, Kim Quee Class of RI 67/69 Cohort

Sushil Chatterji penned his comment to this article

Contributed by Chen Wen, Lionel, Huai Seng, Poh Seng, Teep Khee, Cecil, David Poon, Seng Yeow, Swee Chuang, Cheong Hoh, Rajendran, Suntheralingam, Johnny Pang, Jaya Prakash, Kum Hor and Sushil