SJ Lowcock

From Kansai (Bernard)

Dear Jay,

Your eulogy on Mr. Lowcock made me cry.

He was my first physics teacher and his first lessons laid the foundation of my whole engineering career. I ran for DBS when I was in F5, and under his encouragement, our 4x100m relay team beat the Queen’s team and took the first place, and my 100m dash I came third while our F4 boy – I wish I remember his name – took the first. That year (1955) our school took both the A and B team cup.

More importantly, his way of life as he lived it as my teacher, formed my attitude and values in later life. He fulfilled the highest ideal as a Teacher.

Like you say, I remember him and I miss him. I am very fortunate that I could (with my late wife at the time) meet him again during the 140th anniversary banquet of our school.

By the way, my christian name “Bernard” was chosen for me by Mr. Lowcock before I left for Canada in 1958.

With gratitude,
Kansai

In Memory of Mr Lowcock – Li Wai Tsuen Walter ( Class ’63 )

Despite SJL’s Laissez faire and his ”  don’t really care if you don’t
care “attitude , I learnt my first discipline lesson from him in his
physics class in form lower 6 ;  a class captain or whatever, I was
made to stand on my writing table for the entire period ( 45 minutes ?
) for wearing red socks to school. Learnt to think on what lines not
supposed to cross ever since and to think twice before doing something
stupid .

Never foget his question either to the class that day……”  if I
keep rubbing and shining this copper vessel every lesson, surely a few
Cu molecules will be rubbed off …. one day, the ‘last’ rubbing is
inevitable, and this copper instrument will vanish in thin air……..

Chief,  we’ll miss you.

Li Wai Tsuen Walter ( Class ’63 )

From Henry Chiu DBS1978er

Hi classmates,

Indeed Mr. Lowcock’s life is not without controversy.

I was not a fan at all for Lowcock in schooldays for several good reasons.

For me, the foremost is that the Chaplin in our times was a heretical “Christian”, a Modernist or Liberalist. Lowcock let him preach and teach us his un-orthodox teachings and doctrines. In that sense, Lowcock was the accomplice. In the year of L.6, I boldly walked away in the midst of morning assembly, as a protest against his call on all students to stand up paying tribute to the Pope Paul VI (1963-78). This pope was one of the worst popes of modern time if not all time because of his advocacy of deifying(神化) Mary, the mother of Jesus to be the “Mother of God ” as well as the Infallibility of Pope, taking these insane beliefs to the greatest heights. How can Mary be God? How can a pope be flawless, like God, when he makes so many mistakes and wrongs?

Lowcock’s endeavors on all round education, in my opinion, were far from perfect either. As some of you have pointed out and let me add, he might be too liberal to let the students to DIY. We never had any homeworks. We could bang and shout, totally ignoring the teachers during our classes. In one word, over-indulgence. As a result, I was a victim too. It turned out that I focused overly on religious activities in senior forms, neglecting my academic pursuits and led to poor health for years, which largely explains the late development of my career.

Why am I writing this? Just to let you all know that I am not a shoeshine boy. Only knowing how to eulogize (歌功頌德). Like many of DBS boys, I’m the same Henry who speaks his mind regardless. This is one of the many faces of our DBS Spirit. Hey, we ain’t no North Korean people. Most of all, I want to tell you all that, despite the flaws you may find in Lowcock, despite your disliking of him, to whatever extent, I think he deserves some or even great respect from us. Because he was another typical DBS boy doing his way – living his life and doing his job his way. No matter how one discounts his educational achievement, he is widely and deeply respected by many other old boys in his passion to all round education (which was greatly successful, though not 100%) and his devotion of his fortune to raising the needy students. These are undeniable facts. One day in the early 1990’s, I ran into Lowcock on a double decker without air-con. He chat with me casually and happily. I found no arrogance in the old man. That’s why I am more than happy to do something for him as my last tribute.

When one passes away, let us be kind and forgiving to let bygones be bygones. Let him rest in peace. One day, we all will tread the same path. We ain’t no perfect. How would we want to be treated by people when we are gone?

Yours truly,

Henry Chiu

DBS1978er

In Memory of Mr Lowcock – Class1963 Lau Hon Kan 劉漢根

Dear DBS old boys & the Lowcock Family,

Mr Lowcock has been unique, representing the best combinations of genuine human nature designated by a Welsh surname but truly combining the Persian , Indo-China in the English liberal tradition & the Chinese depth. 
My heart felt and fond memory is summarized as follows:

To serve with love, 萬世師表。 Warren Lee – Class 1963 Vancouver, Canada

Our Dearest Headmaster – Henry K.S. Lee (75)

Dear Mr. Lowcock, you will always be remembered as a symbol of DBS. You set a high standard for the students who looked up to you as an example of what a gentleman should be. You are strict, yet approachable and you have a wonderful sense of dry humour. You called a spade a spade and never have a problem in speaking your mind. You have taught us to be upright citizens and be key contributors to society. Mr. Lowcock, you will always be fondly remembered.

Henry K.S. Lee (75)

Our deepest condolences – Michael Tsang

Dear Mr Lowcock

May The Lord openly receive you into His Home the same way you heartily welcomed us into your home those hot summer days after soccer and cricket for a nice cooling drink of ice water. Your warm and sincere compassion will be sorely missed by my brothers and countless others in your DBS family.

Condolences – S.C. So

Memory and carrying on the run – David T. Fung

Dear Jimmy,

I am glad that I visited you on Sep 17, 2011 and had the opportunity to listen to your aspirations for financing students in need at DBS.  Your passionate message of prioritizing student needs over buildings is crystal clear.  Many of us have benefitted from your life-long commitment to broadening the learning experience and strengthening the social conscience of DBS students.  You have passed on the baton.  I am sure that many of us will carry on the run to help fulfill your dream.

May your soul rest in peace!

David T Fung at Vancouver (BC)

In Memory of Mr. S.J.Lowcock – Harn Kiatfuengfoo (’65)

My name is Harn Kiatfuengfoo, a Thai student and class of ’65. I started Form1 and finished Upper6 between 1960-1967 and also a boarder.
His tenure as a headmaster for 22 years, there were 5,000 students and I am certain that he knew half of them personally and among them there must be about 100 that were very close to him who were known as god-sons. I am privileged to be one of those few. He even asked me to address him as Jimmy.
I have to admit that I gave him a lot of grief the first 5 years and he gave me a good caning in return. He is a man of vision. He did not allow me to take Physics in Form4 which he was the tutor, telling me that there is no way I could become a doctor. At that time I hated him, but today I am grateful because I have a good life and lots of family time.
When he decided that it was time to make a man out of me, my life took a 180 degree turn. He made me a prefect and the swimming captain. I did not disappoint him for DBS won A,B,C grades in swimming that year. He taught me that to make up deficiency in physique, I had to have a big heart. I carried that motto to every sports I participated in and the end result was I became the first recipient of Omega Sports Boy of the Year Award.
My final year at DBS he even trusted me to look after his house while he went on his rare vacation. When I left, I took with me a great lesson of life which no one could do better than the great man, Mr. Lowcock. Thank you very much and you lay in peace.