Remembering Sebastian Tan Chiaw Hock(1923 – 2016}
With deep sadness I came to know of the passing on of my ex boss and mentor Sebastian Tan former
Chief Engineer and Director of Engineering Radio and TV Singapore. He was
called home to be with the Lord on 22 Nov 2016, dearly missed by loved ones and
ex-staff.
When I joined RTS in 1967 Sebastian was then engineer with
the transmission stations. I came to know him when he was posted back to
Caldecott Hill Broadcast Centre. He was a kind and considerate boss. Over the
years I knew him to be a hardworking diligent professional engineer. He was a
mentor to many young engineers and I myself had the benefit to learn much in
the technologies of broadcast engineering and successful career on the Hill.
He was instrumental in introducing many new systems and
technologies to the company namely FM , B/W TV, Colour TV, MW and Short
Transmission, TV Studios etc. The most memorable project I did with him was the
setting up of a colour TV outside studio to broadcast Singapore National Day
Parade first time in colour at the Padang .
Despite a very tight schedule his can-do attitude made it possible for viewers
in 1974 to watch TV in colour.
Together all of us went through the restructuring of RTS
into SBC, SIM (TCS,RCS,TV12) and Sebastian was the Chief Engineer giving us
strong support to tide over the changes.
Sebastian never said a harsh word to anybody. As a kind and
caring boss, he was well –liked by everybody including those who might have
disagreements with him.
After his retirement Sebastian still continued with his
professional work and acted s consultants to companies like National
Productivity Board, Singapore Teleport, Singtel , Polytechnics etc.
We will miss this great engineer. If there is a role model
of a excellent professional engineer to emulate, Sebastian is the one.
Rest in Peace .
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