TAN BOON LIN
12 September 1927 – 7 September 2025
I am continually surprised by the fact that I am officially a very old man! I was born in 1927 to my Peranakan parents, in Georgetown, Penang, Malaya during the British colonial period. My life journey spans the frugality of the Depression between the World Wars, through the harrowing experience of the Japanese Occupation, the hopeful rebuilding of a shattered postwar world, leading to the jubilant optimism of Merdeka, followed by the highly rewarding task of building a new nation.
I began my 36-year career in education as a teacher, first at my alma mater, Penang Free School, and then at Malacca High School. I then served as headmaster of Gajah Berang Secondary School, Sultan Abdul Hamid College and, as the first Asian headmaster of Penang Free School. I heeded the call to serve my country as State Director of Education of Pahang and Penang, then at the Federal level as Chief Inspector of Schools and finally as Director of the Technical & Vocational Division. After retirement from civil service, I capped off my career at Tunku Abdul Rahman College as the Director of Student Affairs. In 2011, I was honoured to be awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN), carrying the title of Dato’ for my life’s work as an educationist.
Till today, one of my greatest pleasures is to meet up with my former students and colleagues and to share stories of how we each have seized opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.
I am grateful for my beloved wife Wong May Lian, who for 62 years, until her passing in 2022, brought a sense of adventure to my life, shared my passion for education, supported me in my career, and spurred me on to grow as a person. We have been blessed with three children, 7 grandchildren 3 great grandchildren.
Tan Boon Lin 