SJ Lowcock

From Thomas CHOI 1961 Seattle

Caning Stick – Kwai Hong Tong

In Memory of Mr Lowcock – YIP Chee-kuen (76)

亦師亦友 – 虾餃佬 – 鍾少煊 (Jay Chung) Class of 1955

He could name everybody – TSANG Nai Ming 1959-1966 DBS student

I was in Form 2A at DBS in 1960-61. On the morning of an ordinary school day, I met Mr. Lowcock on the corridor outside the School Hall. I was surprised to hear Mr. Lowcock calling my name and talked to me about something which I could no longer remember. But what I remember is that he could recognize my face and even called me by name. As far as I could remember, he had not taught our class and I was not any ‘star student’ of the school. I had participated in inter-house sports activities as a member of the Sykes House and maybe that is why he recognized my name. That surprising moment is kept in fond memory ever since. In my heart, he is the Headmaster who could name every student in the School, and what a privilege to have such a Headmaster.

TSANG Nai Ming
1959-1966 DBS student

Mr. Lowcock, An Educator who was Married to DBS – Chan Kam Hoi, (Sch. Cert Year 1962)

Mr. Lowcock, An Educator who was Married to DBS

Chan Kam Hoi,

(Sch. Cert Year 1962, Sykes House,

Pastor, Evangelical Free Church of China,

陳黔開－基督教播道會牧師）

I entered primary 5 in Sept.1955 when Rev. Gerage She began his term as Headmaster. When I arrived at Form 4 in the School Year 1960-61, it was announced that Mr. Lowcock will succeed Rev. She as Headmaster. At that time Mr. Lowcock had just attained the age of 29.

I count it a blessing to have Mr. Lowcock teach me physics when I was in F.2. I also had him for PT for one or two years. What stroke me most was his great memory ── He remembered the names of his students. He took roll call and afterwards he could call us boys by name. Secondly, he was a born teacher. When be taught Physics, he illustrated by drawing on the board and explained very clearly, making complicated things simple.

Thirdly, he was a kind teacher. On the surface he was cool, but he always impressed his students with sarcasm. When he led our Physical Training, he was keen in gymnastics, but I was fat and slow, I could not do the “head stand” nor the “hand stand”. He never forced me. One time he met me after school, and he said in colloquial Cantonese : 「俾多啲心機喇！」

After my university education at the Chinese University, I left for the US for seminary training. Upon my return to Hong Kong in 1973, he could still remember me. When I sent him an invitation to my Ordination in 1978, he was so kind to write me a letter, saying that he could not attend, but would pray for me.

An educator who was married to DBS, and devoted to us his students. May he rest in peace, and may his contribution continue at DBS, and in the lives of his students in all corners of the world.

In Memory of Mr. Jimmy Lowcock — A Devoted Educator — Cheung Mang Ho, Michael, Year ‘60 student

In Memory of Mr. Jimmy Lowcock

— A Devoted Educator —

Mr. Jimmy Lowcock was not yet the principal when I was in DBS before the 1960s. He taught PE (Physical Education) when I was in Form II. It was customary in school to converse with the teachers in English, with the exception of the Chinese teacher. Before DBS, I had attended Salisan School 慈幼學校which was a typical Chinese Primary School where English was taught beginning in Primary 5. As a result, my English was handicapped. I had difficulty understanding his instructions during PE class. However, he still helped students like me feel comfortable, because he occasionally instructed us in Chinese. He was very knowledgeable and seemed to know every sport and their rules. His knowledge extended to science when he taught me Physics in Form IV. He knew so much about Physics and made it so simple to understand. This experience encouraged me to study Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the Michigan Tech later.

As teenagers, we admired Mr. Lowcock. In those years, most of us were under-weight. Mr. Lowcock was tall and walked with good posture, but he still had a little pudgy tummy. My buddy and schoolmate, Willie Chow, thought the tummy was symbolic of someone who was prestigious and wealthy. He always said it would be wonderful if he could have the same feature. As a matter of fact, after he married, Willie achieved an even bigger tummy.

I did not keep in touch with Mr. Lowcock as often as Benny Fattedad. I do remember attending a birthday party for Mr. Lowcock over 10 years ago with Michael Chiu. Though he had changed quite a bit from how we remembered him, he was still pretty health and had a clear mind. That evening, 林子祥 sang a couple of songs for Mr. Lowcock. 林 was often too excited, and he lost his place in the lyrics in some songs. Some students, who were then in Form V, also sat at our dinner tables. They were very polite to both of us. They addressed us “uncle” all evening and poured us tea and served us food. Deep in our heart, we felt that DBS was indeed a good place to spend our high school days.

Well, Mr. Lowcock is in the good hands of God now. He can go anywhere he wants. He will always be with us. We will remember him through our memories and experiences, including his unforgettable Stalin-like mustache.

Cheung Mang Ho, Michael, Year ‘60 student

Senior Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

Past Chairman of Society of Automotive Engineers, Hong Kong Chapter

The story I remember which was told by our respected Mr Lowcock – Chi Ping Lau (’70)

My name is Chi Ping Lau, when I was at DBS. I think I graduated from Form V in 1970.
Mr Lowcock told us this story:
one day a friend of his told his kid to give Mr Lowcock a candy. Mr Lowcock took it and ate it. The child cried.
Moral of the story: we adults teach kids to be hypocrites. The child expected Mr Lowcock to hand it back. But Mr Lowcock wanted to teach him a lesson. We all have to be honest.

thank you for your kind attention.

Chi Ping Lau

Sharing about Mr Lowcock – Dr Norman Yung

From Amos Yong Jr 77

The past month or so, I had been thinking about my dear Mr Lowcock.  I had a hunch I would hear news about him, but did not expect it would be on his passing.  

Like many of my fellow schoolmates, we were able to interact with Mr Lowcock during our school years at DBS.  We each were touch by him in a very special way.  Our young lives  were so influenced by him.  My fondest memory of Mr Lowcock is when I see him.  He always seems to want to ‘tease’ me with his knock knock joke.  He would start to say knock knock.  I would say who is it.  He would say Amos.  I would say Amos who.  And he would say A MOSquito bit me.  Knock Knock.  I would say who is it.  He would say Andy.  Andy who.  And he would say AND he bit me again.  Because of that, he would never forget who I was, even after years of not seeing him.  What a memory he had!!!  We always had fun with this.  Always.

Another major recollection of mine is his comment on my Assembly speech.  I had spent 10 minutes sharing with my fellow schoolmates the importance of really knowing what life is all about.  Is it about fame, fortune, family or fun?  Or is it about faith?  I mentioned unequivocably my faith in the Scriptures, we always read at Assembly.  The Scriptures states that man is a sinner and has no hope of life eternal apart from the work of Christ’s life, death and resurrection from the dead.  I stated Jesus Christ WAS resurrected from the dead, but Mr. Lowcock corrected me at the back of the school hall, that I should have said Jesus Christ IS resurrected from the dead.  He was correct because Jesus Christ still lives today and IS resurrected to ensure anyone who puts their faith in Him will have eternal life.  I am forever grateful to Mr Lowcock for that correction.  

He always saw potential in his students.  He, matter of fact, seemed to gravitate to the ‘naughty’ ones.  But these naughty ones, as far as I can observe, later in life have succeeded in many ways.  Whether I can attribute their success to Mr Lowcock or not, I do not pertain to know.  But this I do know:  He was there to help his students become better men.  I have a lot to thank him for.  

Now our dear headmaster, mentor, friend and confidant is gone from this life.  I do hope I will see him in the life to come.

Mr Lowcock may you rest in peace.