Obituary: Col. (Ret'd) Dr Richard Hin Yung

MBBS (1960), FAMS (1969), FROG (1981)
Born: 30 August 1933, Peking, China
Died: 24 April 2007, Singapore

Obituary

Richard Yung, a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Adelaide, was much admired by his colleagues, friends and family. He was a humble person despite his many and great achievements, a dedicated and passionate worker, a wonderful friend who was much loved for his sincerity, and of course a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Richard never forgot the good times he spent in Adelaide. He had fond memories of Lincoln College and the University of Adelaide. Despite his hectic schedule as a gynaecologist and a part-time Colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces, he found time for his alma mater, setting up the Alumni chapter in Singapore.

Whilst in practice as a doctor, Richard also took time off to serve in the Singapore Armed Forces. According to Dr Tow, "Richard was a soldier at heart. Medicine was a pastime. This is not to say that he treated his medical practice lightly. No, Richard was [in] a class of his own. Whatever he did, he put in all he had - be it medicine, soldering, family, Church, friends. Richard worked his way up in the army - from field medical staff command to commander of a combat division. He was awarded the rare distinction of a regular colonel's appointment for a part-time volunteer. He won the coveted Command Appointment Plaque and the Meritorious Service Award. He was more professional than the professionals."

A rare and final achievement that Richard did before he said 'goodbye' to the world to be with the Lord, was he managed to publish his book tracing the family roots in dedication To Our Grandchildren. Through the papers that were left behind by his father, he managed to trace his roots back almost a thousand years. Proudly in 1998 he gathered all the Yungs together for a grand rally at the Yale University in Connecticut and in 2003 he organised another gathering of his maternal branch - the Kwan clan - in California.

Richard was instrumental in initiating a commemorative book entitled The Southern Lights - Enlightening and Enriching for the Adelaide University Alumni Association Singapore in 2006. He worked tirelessly to get the book published despite the many occasions where his health was not that good.

Richard loved his God and was a regular worshipper in the mandarin congregation at the St Andrew's Cathedral. As a talented singer, he was a leading member of the church choir and led the church in singing hymns during services.

Richard was a perfect father and husband. Together with his wife May, they raised three sons, Shing Wai, Shing Jit and Shing Gene, and a happy band of grandchildren. At 2.10pm on Tuesday 24 April, in the presence of his wife May, his three sons, brother Allen and sister Geraldine, Richard passed into the presence of his Maker. This ended his earthly sojourn of 73 years.

Contributed by David Goh, President, Adelaide University Alumni Association Singapore
With reference to: To Our Grandchildren by Richard Yung, Eulogy by Tow Siang Haw, and the Distinguished Alumni Award Citation by Harry Medlin