02 Oct08:08am
From Raymond Chu
From Raymond Chu
Chow Sir,
Rest in peace in the Heaven.
Thanks for your support to the DSOBA Dragonboat Team.
We will miss you.
Raymond Chu (’84)
+852 27135268
From Raymond Chu
Chow Sir,
Rest in peace in the Heaven.
Thanks for your support to the DSOBA Dragonboat Team.
We will miss you.
Raymond Chu (’84)
From CHENG Tai Pui (Class of 64)
My first encounter with Mr Thomas WT Chow was somewhat similar. He once
taught me Geography. But that was all until he became my football coach.
It was Mr Chow who scouted my talent in soccer. He drafted me into the
school team, when I was barely 5 ft 3 in tall and playing in B grade.
Because of Mr Chow, I had the privilege of joining the rank of Roger
Poynton, Steven Chow, Derek Turner, Paul Tam, Wong Chi Teng and Shanghai
Guy in a star studded line-up.****
****
As school year ended in 1964, I left DBS and lost whatever contact with my
teachers and classmates. Never for a moment had I expected to return for
matriculation. I had no idea Mr Chow had arranged for a match against DBS
old boys boarding at ****St John’s****, led by Fu Hung and Reginald Wahab.
The old soccer pitch at Pokfulam was within walking distance from my
shanty home in ****Kennedy** **Town****. Having failed to contact me by
phone, Mr Chow sent Albert Yeung for me. I was not home and hence I missed
that match. Ching Sik Fan who too lived nearby was called up to fill my
place. Because of Mr Chow, my most miserable living condition at that time
was exposed before the eyes of my classmates.****
****
By virtue of our close relation in school, Mr Chow was one of very few
teachers who could well remember my name. Every time we met, he was as
genuine and friendly as ever. Then on a bright sunny day in late 1970’s, I
went back to DBS and played a football match on the same pitch which was
then open for use by old boys. Mr Chow dropped by. He asked to join in.
During my school team years, Mr Chow used to play alongside his boys. He
gave me the impression that he was just an ordinary player. This time I
was awfully wrong. He proved himself to be a very skilful play maker. It
was then that I came to appreciate his real talent in soccer, just as he
had discovered me sometime ago.****
****
Mr chow’s passion for football is life long. But it was on the venue of
his most favourite sport that he lost one of his children. As could be
imagined, it was hard to take for a man of his age. I sent him my deep
condolences, and he replied with a note of thanks. ****
****
The last time I talked to Mr Chow was at the memorial service for Mr
Lowcock. He gave a speech that touched the heart of all alumni. Then on
the lawn right in front of the school entrance, we were served with
refreshment. I went over to Mr Chow, shook his hands, and congratulated
him on a presentation well done. In a jovial mood, He then talked about
his dream of pulling all members of his school teams together, a dream that
we now know will never come true. ****
****
On the day of this year’s homecoming concert, Mr YW Fung called and invited
me to be his guest. During the intermission, I walked past a familiar face
under dimming light. It looked like Mr Chow, but I was not so sure. When
I bent over to greet him, the usual warmth and tenderness so characteristic
of his personality were totally lacking. His hands were cold, and he was
never so quiet. I sensed something had gone wrong, either with him or with
his attitude toward me. At the sad news of his passing now, the reasons
come to light. Our teacher was in failing health. I regret having missed
the chance to offer my get well wishes in time. ****
****
RIP Mr Thomas Chow Wai Tong.
From Darwin Liu (Class of 84)
Dear Mrs Chow and Family,
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to you for the passing away of
Chow Sir. Chow Sir was a very nice gentleman and we had shared a very good
friendship.
May God bless his soul to rest in peace.
Love in Christ,
Darwin Liu
DBS Class ’84
Diocesan School Old Boys' Association Ltd.
131 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon. Hong Kong Phone: +852 27135268 mail@dsoba.org www.dsoba.com
Dear members,
DSOBA Chapters (Build, Design & Environment, ICT & Media, Legal, Medical & Healthcare) cordially invite you to a joint BBQ buffet dinner
A gathering of the four chapters, an occasion to meet your peers from different professions and to enjoy some outdoor BBQ (option to do the BBQ yourself or have food prepared for you). All DSOBA members are welcome.
Topic: Joint Chapter BBQ Dinner Function
Date: Friday 15th November 2013
Venue: DBS Glass Pavillion and the open space between SIP building (weather permitting)
Price: $250 / head for DSOBA members; $300 / head for spouses, partners or children
(price is including soft drinks and beer). You are welcome to bring your own wine
Time: 7:00 p.m. Drinks, 7:30 p.m. BBQ Buffet Dinner
Limited seats (130) only, ticket will be available on first come first serve basis.
Please contact Sonia Huen or Maggie Ho (Tel. 2713-5268) for enquiries and email to sonia@dsoba.org or maggie@dsoba.org to reserve your seat(s). Please make your cheque payable to “Diocesan School Old Boys’ Association Ltd” and send it to 131 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon or pay into DSOBA bank account (HSBC A/C No.: 111-170312-001). Please remember to send us the bank receipt once you transferred the fee to us.
Please note payment must be received in advance in order to guarantee your booking. All payments are non-refundable but are transferable.
David Lau ’88, Sinko Choy ’89, Convenors ICT& Media Chapter
Alan Lam ’70, Convenor, Legal Chapter
Lui Siu Fai ’70, Convenor, Medical & Healthcare Chapter
Horace Chan’66, Simon Chan ’84, Brian Cheung ’84, Convenors, Design & Built Environment Chapter
In memoriam
Thomas Chow Wai-Tong
1935 – 2013
A memorial service will be held to celebrate and remember the life of Thomas Chow Wai-Tong.
· Date: 6 October 2013 (Sunday)
· Time: 2 pm
· Venue: School Hall, Diocesan Boys’ School, 131 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Kowloon
Thank you for your kind thoughts but flowers will not be accepted at the venue. In lieu of flowers, you could make donation to the fund which helps the needy children in China that Thomas had been involved in. A donation box will be placed at the reception.
School Hall will be opened from 1.30pm for guests to sign in and service will start punctually at 2 pm.
Public transportation is encouraged as only limited parking spaces are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you plan to drive, kindly register your car plate by sending email to chowsir@dsoba.org.
The DSOBA has arranged for regular old boys basketball gatherings at the school gym on every Sunday (except 29th September) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please feel free to come play with the brothers and have fun!
For more information please contact Gary Poon on 96564926 or Sonia Huen of DSOBA on 27135268.
Thomas Chow Wai Tong 周偉堂 (Class of 1954)
It is with deep sorrow and regret we inform you that Mr. Thomas Chow Wai Tong 周偉堂 (Class of 1954) passed away on Sunday, 8 September 2013.
Chow Sir entered DBS in 1946 soon after the end of the World War II as a fifth-grader. He was captain of football team, a first generation Boy Scout, member of the school choir and cricket team. His talent in football earned him the nickname “李惠堂”, the then-football legend in Hong Kong. He graduated in 1954 and returned to DBS to become a teacher in 1960. His nine years at DBS were fondly remembered as one of the most popular teachers and Sports Master. Chow Sir left DBS in 1969 to join TVB and his teaching post was succeeded by his wife, Mrs. Kathleen Chow.
Old Boys by and large are indebted to Chow Sir as it was the efforts of him and a few other Old Boys who kept the DSOBA alive during the 70’s by maintaining regular Old Boys’ gatherings. As a consultant and trainer in the tourist industry, Chow Sir travelled extensively and took every opportunity to participate in the Old Boys’ gatherings around the world. He was a member of the Old Boys’ Choir and performed in the most recent Homecoming Concert.
Chow Sir served the community compassionately. In 1964, while being the teacher at DBS, he formed the Rural Service Group which led a group of 20-30 students each month to visit the New Territories and helped carry out work for farmers. In more recent years, he was Honourary Advisor of “Care and Concern Action”, a Hong Kong registered charity which subsidises education in remote regions of China. Many boys and teachers in the Primary Division were certainly inspired by his passion and drive in community work when Chow Sir joined them in two recent service learning trips to Cambodia and Shanghai respectively.
Chow Sir will be sadly missed as an inspirational leader, loyal Old Boy, respected teacher, chirpy tenor and a great friend to all of us.
Details of Mr. Thomas Chow Wai Tong’s memorial service will be announced soon. In the meantime, a section has been set up in the DSOBA website for Old Boys and friends to leave their thoughts and memories of Chow Sir. Kindly send your messages to chowsir@dsoba.org.
DSOBA
September 2013
