Robert Yeoh, one of the co-founders of Fridae.com, passed away on Tuesday evening from complications of pneumonia. He had been in the intensive care unit in a Singapore hospital for over a month when he passed on.
Having trained and practiced as a Barrister in Britain in the late 1970s, Robert had an accomplished career in investment banking spanning nearly two decades before co-founding Fridae.com in 2000. He served as Fridae's Chief Executive Officer and was mainly involved in fundraising since the company's inception and saw it through the dot-com bubble burst before relegating the role to fellow co-founder, Dr Stuart Koe in 2002.
After having worked in the major financial centers in the world including London, New York, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong, Robert took on the high-profile development and management of Bintan Resort, a 23,000 hectare development on the north coast of Indonesia's Bintan island in 1992.
In 1994, he became the first Asian Country Head of Chase Manhattan Bank Malaysia, where he was born.
Following that, Robert joined the Hong Leong Group Malaysia as the Group Managing Director and later Chief Executive Officer of PB Securities before taking up the invitation to join the Institute of Strategic International Studies Malaysia during the Asian financial crisis until 2003.
From 2000-2002, he also served as Advisor to AIA Capital, the financial advisory/direct investment arm of AIA Group. In 2003, he was appointed Strategic Communications Advisor (Marcom) to Singapore's Economic Development Board and to the Board of Commissioners of PT Chandra Asri, Indonesia's only petrochemical company and one of Asia's largest.
Aside from his corporate achievements, Robert was engaged in charitable work including being a Trustee and Hon. Secretary of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and Acting Chairman in 2005 as well as being part of church-related mission trips in recent years.
"Robert was instrumental in founding Fridae.com which has since grown to become Asia's largest gay and lesbian online community. He will be missed by the staff at Fridae and everyone who knew him," said Dr Koe.
The wake will be held at The Garden of Remembrance (Christian Columbarium Chapel), Parousie Hall, 920 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, Singapore 699815, starting on Thursday, July 12, noon. The cortege will leave for Mandai Crematorium at Saturday, July 14, 3:30 pm, and the cremation ceremony will begin at 4.30pm. No wreaths by request; if desired, enquiries about donations to offset medical costs can be directed to robert_yeoh_memorial@yahoo.com .
Readers may post their condolences, tributes and memories of Robert below.
读者回应
Mark Armstrong
http://www.johnferdinand.com
let there not be sorrow but
happiness for his
reunion
with
peace
.
Rest In Peace..
MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL PLU
FRIDAE COMMUNITY LOST GREAT MAN.
RIP
RIP, we will remember you, deep in our heart
Anywhere you are, we will continue with the spirit in higher mode, very proud of your contribution.
"Anywhere you are, we'll be with you in PRAYS for you, Mr Robert" God Bless you.
mel
..RIP..
Your legacy will be with us for many many years to come.
May your contribution for our community will last forever as a monument of human right that have been neglected by so many ppl but you put it as foundation for our community.
your contribution and hardwork is usefull for us now and forever.
By the way, the obituary is a beautiful passage.
I am amazed by your achievement. Nonetheless, you greatest achivement is being the founder of Fridae, which became the shelter for so many lonely hearts. Thank you.
better man who has lived life to its fullest than Robert?
I find solace that his ideals, his essence and his very breath continues its drive.
His accomplishments and the energies these have created continue their existence; Robert has gone beyond life and has found true immortality
in the hearts and minds of those his gentle yet generous heart has touched.
His economy for words speaks volumes.
His quiescent yet watchful nature looks over all our shoulders.
His wit and charm the very hallmark of his personality.
His erudite, au courant nature and savant taste for fine art, music and cuisine the makings of a gentleman.
You are admired, extolled, honored but mostly, you are missed.
At least you are in a much better place now with God, Mr Yeoh.
i will miss u
with deep condolences
san chai...
ah mi tuo fo!
You introduced me to FRIDAE and it has been a wonderful journey for me to get to know so many people all over the world. FRIDAE is your piece de triumphe! Without this wonderful portal, the rest of the world would not have been introduced to Singapore's gay society and given us an invaluable tool to reach out to others.
It is just so in your character to always try to link people together and FRIDAE will continue with the spirit that is you!
Miss you heaps! You are now living in a better place, one with your beloved GOD and I hope you will continue to watch over all us! Till we meet again, anon!
Eryk
THE ONLY COMFORT LEFT IS THE SWEETEST RECOLLECTION OF ALL THAT YOU MEANT TO YOUR FAMILY AND US.I HOPE TIME WILL EASE AND ERASE THE SORROWS AND LEAVE ONLY CHERISHED MEMORIES OF YOU.
WE ALL HERE SEND OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY, LOVE AND CONDOLENCES.
Sincerely,
Edward (Osaka-Japan)
THANK YOU
Expressing my sincere gratitude as I am a beneficiary of this learning environment in my coming out process, and the friendship of various nature. Thank you.
May he Rest In Peace.
Casey
We can greave for our loss but find comfort that he is at peace from the aches and pains he suffered.
Milton Owens (miltla)
Your great contribution has offered Fridae members a bright future!
You will always be remembered... Rest In Peace!
Tianlun
(Kuala Lumpur)
Ethan Lim
Fridae is not only a dating/networking website. It is an outlet for many gay Asians to express ourselves, explore others, and learn about ourselves. And most importantly, it connected and binded the gay Asians community worldwide.
Thank You Mr. Yeoh...may you rest in peace and smile upon us!!!
dancingchefalvin
regards
satanboy@fridae
and thx 4 the great page !
Dr TMG Duffy
tmgduffy@yahoo.ie
You had an amazing journey over the decades since you left the UK, and made a staggering difference to so many people.
You will always be remembered and thanked for that. I will also remember you for your kindness, wit and humour, and in particular your hilarious impression of Mapp, in Mapp and Lucia, which I can never watch without thinking of you.
We lit a candle for you tonight in London. I feel honoured and proud to have known you, and so sad not to see you again.
To others on Fridae I respectfully repeat the request mentioned in the article:
the enormous hospital costs were an additional burden to the illness itself and I am sure that if just some of the thousands of people who have been helped by Fridae can donate even a small affordable amount each, this would be a great help.
Maybe in the long term a trust could be set up in Robert's name to help those whose illness is not covered by insurance?
With much love,
Steve and Leng
xx
Lost_angel (Los Angeles)
With Love
I found out your passing 20 minutes after it happened, but it will sadden me years beyond that. I had known you for more than 20 years, but I hadn't known how serious, truly, your recent illness was. You will be so sorely missed by all of us you brilliant, charming man. Thank you for having shared with me so many instances of your wonderful, witty, outspoken personality - so that I can always remember you, even when you are no longer here.
For those who may share some of Robert's legacy (through Fridae), just remember to live as he had lived: always with integrity, courage, honesty, grace and a great dash of humour. Live your life to its highest potential so that you will always shine in the light of public respect. Thanks for the lessons Robert... and thanks for the journey traveled together.
You always said to me, "let's meet again when I get back"... but this time, I guess, well meet again later when I get back. Till then, God Bless... and speed you on your journey to heaven.
With love and utmost respect,
Desmond Sim
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You've come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say: We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
-------------------------
Robert hates it when we cried.
Best Wish.
You have achieved alot! Rest in peace.
thanks for making the deep impact and huge difference for our brothers and sisters in the region and the world. i am sure you are proud of it too.
rest peacefully.
Thank you.
You may be gone but never forgotten
May you rest in peace and your legacy will stand thru time....
Douglas
me and yovita ,pray for u in cristian way be
kent
by Tim Chambers
A gentle wind blew cross the land
Reaching out to take a hand
For on the winds the angels came
Calling out a mother's name.
Left behind, the children's tears
Loving memories of the years
Of joy and love, a life well spent
And now to God a mother's sent.
On angel's wings, a heavenly flight
The journey home, towards the light
To those who weep, a life is gone
But in God's love, 'tis but the dawn.
How I will miss our laughter. No matter how disastrous things were, we always laughed. Till we meet again ...
"Sempre libera degg'io follegiare di gioia in gioia"
With all my love
Thomas Ng
red lien kind named on u there
and we praying for u in goa maria
and nice sexy kid ,,,,,,belong mom face
thank u dear fren ,,,,mr,robert
and hope u in heavenly with jesus and god
amen for u
like loving to bashers and haters ,,,,,,,,,even racialist,and muslims
We will mourn your passing but we will celebrate your life.
What a wonderful legacy you have left us all.
You will always be remembered my friend.
Rest in peace.
ian
And we would always hold you in loving memory.
May you rest in peace.
Jason
We'll miss you.
Thank you and may you rest in peace.
Bless you and all, amen.
Rest in peace... (F)
Thanks again.
Although it is very difficult to accept your absence,
It broke our hearts deeply to let you go,
For you have only slipped away into the next room,
Perhaps out of sight but never out of our mind,
Every thought of you makes us shed tears,
As your presence will always be felt,
And cherished deep in our hearts as always.
Our Love For You Will Remains Forever.............
The world needs more people like him who want to contribute to humankind and bring the world together in love and peace.
May his life be a good role model to others.
R.I.P, ( 1955~2007 )
We Thank U alots & We kwn this website Kwn alots people in worlds also Thz=Thk webmaster ( Dr. Stuar Koe... )
We will remember you, deep in our heart., fm Robert Yeoh.
My Warm Deep Condolences to the family of Mr. Robert Yeoh.
( I think he is a great guy. )
REST IN PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8&mode=user&search=
Thanks for whats you have created for us to our lovely world, u found such a wonderful living on our lifestyles ,hope next G generation around the WORLD continues your dream come true with BRIGHT to our society...
Kevin S.
Bangkok Investment Banker
My Warm Deep Condolences to the family of Mr. Robert Yeoh.
( I think he is a great guy. )
...................................
......... , . - . - , _ , .......
......... ) ` - . .> ' `( .......
........ / . . . .` . . ........
........ |. . . . . |. . .| ........
......... . . . ./ . ./ .........
........... `=( /.=` .........
............. `-;`.-' ............
............... `)| ... , ........
................ || _.-'| ........
............. ,_|| _,/ ........
....... , ..... || .' .............
....... | | ,. ||/ .............
.... ,..` | /|.,|Y, ............
..... '-...'-._..||/ .............
......... >_.-`Y| ..............
.............. ,_|| ...............
................ || ...........
................. || ..........
................. || ...........
................. |/ ...........
...............................
REST IN PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8&mode=user&search=
* May time heal your sorrow & bring you peace,
* May beautiful memories bring you comfort,
* You're in our hearts & in our thoughts!
Without him, I would have not taken the job he offered me, would have not spent the next 14 years in Asia and would have not started in family in Singapore...
Robert gave positive impulses to other people's life... We need humans like him like the air that we breath...he did it perfectly!
We kept in touch from time to time after Fridae. And recently I saw him in hospital a week before this happened. He was recovering and ate his first piece of solid food when I was there. Guess it wasn't meant to last.
A phone he gave me I still kept today, even though it's now broken. No doubt, he has left behind many friends and family, he will never be forgotten in our hearts.
Goodbye Robert and rest in peace!
I thank God for him and I know he is with the loving Lord eternally.
May peace and strength be upon his love ones.
Charity work, fund-raising, helping and empowering others was his theme. A quite person, charming in his own ways who always shy away from lamplight; the Mona Lisa smile; the very unassuming chap.... that was the Robert we knew.
You showed us the path, the lights and you went away.
Robert, you will always be in our hearts and minds and the lights shall always be there, the legacy you left behind, the deep thoughts you instilled in our minds.
A dear friend of PT Foundation.
Our deepest condolence to his family....goodbye.
May you rest in peace from all of us.......amen.
Hisham Hussein
Chair, PT Foundation, Malaysia
Rest in peace and joys.
:)
I can't add better words than the ones expressed by his freinds, colleagues and other in the comments below.
Judge a man by his deeds and the true opnions of others. I nvite others to read the memorials posted on Fridae. In those you can see the life of a respected, loved and loving man.
Better than that ....
The values we live by are worth more when we pass them on. RIP
~Rob, may you rest in eternal peace~
A&J
May you rest in peace! In the brief encounters that i have known you, you definitely showed wit and your smile brightens up the room.
My condolences to his family and close friends
I will always miss you, Robert.
My condolences to your family.
My Warm Deep Condolences to Mr. Robert Yeoh
REST IN PEACE
Fm: SINGAPOORE.
Mr.IAN
My id all n 1.?
1168/ s1168/ ian_sg/ ian88/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8&mode=user&search=
We will remember you, deep in our heart., fm Robert Yeoh.
...................................
......... , . - . - , _ , .......
......... ) ` - . .> ' `( .......
........ / . . . .` . . ........
........ |. . . . . |. . .| ........
......... . . . ./ . ./ .........
........... `=( /.=` .........
............. `-;`.-' ............
............... `)| ... , ........
................ || _.-'| ........
............. ,_|| _,/ ........
....... , ..... || .' .............
....... | | ,. ||/ .............
.... ,..` | /|.,|Y, ............
..... '-...'-._..||/ .............
......... >_.-`Y| ..............
.............. ,_|| ...............
................ || ...........
................. || ..........
................. || ...........
................. |/ ...........
...............................
REST IN PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkbdP7sq0w8&mode=user&search=
Rest in peace, Mr Yeoh.
Grandsize.
We keep meeting like 2 passing ships in this shimmering existence...let see now...Hong Kong (where we were first introduced by Gary Artz) then Singapore, London, Thailand...everywhere!
Thank you for the valuable moments we managed to share.
Rest In Peace Now, Refresh and May We Continue
Our Adventures...Safe The World, Discover Our Own Fountain Of Youth, Lots of Silly Things...
And for all who have embraced this beautiful creature of light...rejoice!
And World Peace (of cos),
Michael Chung
Your advice to me about life is always kept in my heart till today..
My condolences to your family.......
RIP.
I thank him from my heart for the courage and conviction he had for setting up Fridae, allowing us now to have so much fun and friendship on this site.
May he Rest In Peace...Thank You ,Robert
Stuart Ong ( Hong Kong)
Whilst the personal eulogies delivered by friends and family came from the heart and were both inspiring and truly celebrated Robert's many achievements and how he has touched so many lives, the sermons delivered by pastors from Church of Our Saviour were something else altogether.
Not only did they hardly mention Robert in their sermons, they opportunistically took the chance to proselytise, evangalise, and most offensively, put down other religions, christian denominations, and the gay community.
This truly is an outrage and an insult not only to everyone in the room, but also a grave insult to the man who's life we were supposed to be there to celebrate and remember.
COOS, and particularly Derek Hong, if you are reading this, you should be ashamed of yourselves for perverting what was otherwise a truly beautiful celebration of a special man's life and his contributions. You destroyed the entire ceremony through your selfish and insensitive evangelism. Take your rhetoric somewhere else - keep it within your church. Certainly don't insult all of Robert's friends and the community he was such an integral part of.
Shame on the church!
You mean robert is from COOS? Is he involved in any 'special' ministry in COOS?
Forgive and pray. Do not criticize any spiritual leader. God and Robert is watching from heaven, and God sees our hearts, so fear God. Will Robert be 'resting in peace' in heaven if he sees such unforgiveness from PLUs?
We can set good examples for other so call 'religious' groups to see. Let PLUs be the most forgiving and loving people in the world!
Pastor, I forgive you.
It was a very beautiful service for a beautiful man who had done so much to help others in Singapore, Malaysia and other parts of the region.
What a pity..... the beautiful service was scarred by inappropriate and insensitive remarks made by the Senior Pastor in public. The compelling issue for us was the devulging of basic private and confidential information by a Senior Pastor about his parishioner at his funeral service. How inappropriate!
Whilst the living can still forgive, can the dead? Pray hard and beg for forgiveness Mr Senior Pastor for you are only human and can be subjected to more sins!
God bless Robert for the good deeds he had done for mankind for they would be his testimony. May you rest in peace......
Hisham Hussein
Kuala Lumpur
Although we had only been out for several meals with mutual friends, you never fail to impress me with your wit, humor and honesty. I will always remember you. Rest in peace.
Andrew Ong
Ernest Koh
Monterey, California
For Robert Yeoh (1955-2007)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty...He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91).
Who, if I cried out, would hear me among the angels' hierarchies?
and even if one of them pressed me suddenly against his heart:
I would be consumed in that overwhelming existence.
For beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror, which we are still just able to endure,
and we are so awed because it serenely disdains to annihilate us.
Every angel is terrifying.
And so I hold myself back and swallow the call-note of my dark sobbing.
Ah, whom can we ever turn to in our need?
Not angels, not humans, and already the knowing animals are aware
that we are not really at home in our interpreted world.
Perhaps there remains for us some tree on a hillside,
which we can take into our vision every day; **
I'll see you again someday at the foot of that rugged tree, my friend - and you know which tree I am talking about! Till then, farewell and safe passage.
Clarence
**(Raina Maria Rilke, Duino Elegies - Elegy No.1 as translated by Stephen Mitchell)
I miss you.
Nick
Following his passing, I see from the comments here and elsewhere that the light hasn't at all gone out. That is Robert's lasting legacy; the rest of us should only be so lucky to leave one like it. I feel privileged to have shared in it, if only briefly. I'll miss him.
Why not have a celebration of his life, a gathering, or function, where all those in the gay community could get together, and celebrate what he meant to people. People could share stories of how Robert touched their lives, with selected speakers delivering a tribute to him from a "gay communtiy" perspective. A memorial fund could be created in his name, proceeds of which could be donated to a cause that was close to his heart.
It would be a way of dealing with the loss of Robert Yeoh for so many people, and maybe inspire some to follow in his footsteps. I think this special man would look down with pride.
Come-on singapore community, come on fridae... It would be wonderful.
Mark ( Australia )
My only regret was not being able to meet up more often in Sg, though we have our yearly rituals of lunch/dinners and plays to attend.
May you RIP Robert and will miss you dearly.
Mr.Robert Yeoh on Departed on 12th JULY 2007
Been he life so harder & till until now here ...Born ( 1955-2007-JULY 10th .)
...................................
......... , . - . - , _ , .......
......... ) ` - . .> ' `( .......
........ / . . . .` . . ........
........ |. . . . . |. . .| ........
......... . . . ./ . ./ .........
........... `=( /.=` .........
............. `-;`.-' ............
............... `)| ... , ........
................ || _.-'| ........
............. ,_|| _,/ ........
....... , ..... || .' .............
....... | | ,. ||/ .............
.... ,..` | /|.,|Y, ............
..... '-...'-._..||/ .............
......... >_.-`Y| ..............
.............. ,_|| ...............
................ || ...........
................. || ..........
................. || ...........
................. |/ ...........
...............................
REST IN PEACE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3qf8Uetr-g&mode=related&search=%3F%3C/DIV%3E
I'm sure he'll be very much missed by both his family and friends, but we all have to remember that we can all contribute to continuing his achievements. We may only be able to make small steps, but each step brings us closer to an equal world.
We have to remember Robert - but we all have the responsibility to ensure that the future for the gay community throughout the world is continually improved through each and ever one of us.
Thank you Robert, and good luck to us all. Let's make the future bigger and better.
May you rest in peace. You left behind our class who were so inspired by your brilliance. We admired you so much.
I wanted to be just as great as you and was about to email you about my fantastic school results. I'm sure you already know. Thanks for spending the time with us and with just me for that little interview.
It meant a lot to me and your memory will last a long time in our minds and hearts. Thank you.
BAAM02 - 2007
In the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the West, many gay men died of "pneumonia" and "cancer" and "lymphoma." In fact, they died of AIDS. But the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS was so great, few had the courage to openly and honestly acknowledge the illness.
I don't know from what Robert died, and I didn't know Robert. But if as I suspect he died of AIDS, and Fridae.com doesn't openly and honestly confront that fact, then they are complicit in the continuing stigma and discrimination which surrounds this disease. And there is much shame in that.
请先登入再使用此功能。