Richard Khoo

My father Richard passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 after reaching the age of 79 years.   After some months fighting cancer, he died peacefully within his home in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia together with son Bryan,close relatives and friends by his side.

Richard was born early 1942 in Betong, Sarawak to Khoo Kit Kheng and Wee Lian Choo as the first of their nine children.  He was born in the midst of World War II, while the Japanese were invading Borneo.  After the Japanese occupation ended, the young family moved back to Kuching with Richard in tow.  He lived his early years happily in Batu Lintang and as the family grew, he was a good elder brother to the rest of his brothers.

He met his wife, Tan Hiang Kiat early on in life, they were playmates from young.  He married his childhood sweetheart in 1968, and they were inseparable until her death in 2003.  Richard and Hiang Kiat were the parents of two boys, Adrian and Bryan.  Adrian was born in 1969 and they welcomed Bryan a few years later in 1977. 

He went to school at St Thomas' primary and secondary schools in Kuching from 1953 to 1959.  He worked as a telecommunications technician and accounts personnel in Telekom Malaysia from the early 1960s until he retired in 1997.  

In 1970 both my parents came to know about Jehovah God and dedicated themselves to his service, dad in 1972 and mom in 1973.  They taught others about the good news of God's kingdom and were firm believers in the resurrection hope.   

My father loved music and played the guitar to entertain friends and family at frequent gatherings together.  He also loved to cook, and was seen in the kitchen even more than my mom!   My wife Diane swears that she learnt more from cooking with dad than she ever did from anywhere or anyone else.

He loved to be with his family and his spiritual brothers and sisters.  He was always up for a good outing, whether it be a “makan” at the coffee shop, a picnic or a gathering of friends.

He was a good father who always took care of his children, a loving grandfather to Alicia and Aileen, and an honorary grandfather to so many spiritual brothers and sisters.

He was a caring man and was always giving of himself, who is loved and will be missed by many!