1. Introduction

My late wife Dorothy and I have both been teaching staff for many years at the Nanyang Technological Universiy, Singapore (NTU).  We enjoyed the intellectual academic environment there, but we have no children.  Very sadly, in May 1999, she passed away after a difficult three months in and out of hospital. As I was by then 59, I asked to retire early at 60 and go for a semi-retirement post called "Teaching Fellow" with half duty and half pay.  The U let me stay on for three more years.  After this I became a part-time staff.

Dorothy was very active at the U, and was the top choice as MC at many important functions and ceremonies.  A notable ceremony was the official opening of the new campus at a grand Nanyang Auditorium.  The President of Singapore, Mr Wee Kim Wee, agreed to be the Guest of Honour.  But then giving the U only one week's notice, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's Prime Minister was also going to attend.  As Mr Lee is well known to be a perfectionist and intolerant of any mistakes, any other MC would shake in the knees in doing this task.  But Dorothy did this MC task smoothly with no trouble.