I recently came to know that an acquaintance of mine passed away. He was none other then Bernard Chua Hock Beng who passed away whilst on an incentive trip to Thailand. Drowned after a freak wave took him out to sea. I knew Bernard during my active NS days as we served in the same unit. As luck would have it, we found ourselves once again in the same reservist battalion, although in different companies.
Though we chatted, I never fully gotten to know Bernard well. But suffice to say, as would all who knew him, he was a good and decent man. It doesn’t take long to know that he has a heart of gold and a willing penchant to help. With spoken words, it was all to easy to know that he has sincerity in his words. The last I spoke to him was on the 5 July 2007. I missed my ride to range and chanced upon him and we exchanged the usually pleasantries.
Though I knew him only at the surface, hardly knowing his full worth. I was deeply saddened to hear of his demise. Somehow, I just feel really down because he was truly a good man. My hear goes out for his widow for she has certainly lost a precious one.
So here’s to you Bernard, may we meet again up there and have a long and good chat.
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