Hooi Beng was born to Goh Gim Seng and Yeoh Poh Chooi. He received his education at the Wellesley Primary School and the Penang Free School. As a youth, he excelled at swimming, was the Captain of the Penang Free School Badminton Team and a King Scout. He was awarded a Colombo Plan scholarship to study Rural Science (Agricultural Science) at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia.
In 1969, Hooi Beng began his career in education when he started and headed the nation’s first agricultural vocational school in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. It was an exciting time for a young graduate and also for the other young teachers to help build a modern agricultural workforce for Malaysia. As there were very few reference materials at the time, he took on the challenge of co-writing with Chee Teck Son, a series of three agricultural textbooks ‘Sains Pertanian’ published by Longman.
In 1976, Hooi Beng secured a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a Masters degree in Extension Education at the University of Guelph in Canada. On his return, he was posted to Alor Setar where he worked at the Kedah State Education Department.
As the principal of the agricultural school in Chenor, Pahang, he prepared a working paper for the supply of 24-hour electricity to Chenor to replace the fuel generators which frequently broke down. Water was pumped up from the muddy Pahang river and, with the installation of these modern facilities in the 1980s, life was made easier for the rural inhabitants.
He was the headmaster or principal of numerous schools and educational institutions throughout his career, such as Sekolah Menengah Tunku Abdul Rahman in Nibong Tebal, Seri Kota Teachers Training College in Kuala Lumpur and his beloved alma mater - the Penang Free School.
Hooi Beng was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. His selflessness towards those he loved was unwavering. He had a special rapport with children and they were drawn to his charm, playful demeanour and entertaining stories. His grandfathering skills were legendary - he would buy snacks, build makeshift swings and patiently teach his youngest granddaughter how to ride the tricycle.
Hooi Beng had, after a period of illness, intended to stay with his daughter to be close to his loved ones but the Lord loved him more.
The Goh family would like to express their apologies to relatives, friends and former colleagues for not informing them of Hooi Beng’s sudden demise in the major newspapers earlier. Profound grief made it difficult to see the obituary appear in print. To those who were able to make it to the wake and funeral service, we thank you for your floral tributes and heartfelt messages of support for the comfort they provided. We are very grateful for the generous monetary gifts which will go towards helping the various charities close to his heart.
Hooi Beng’s infectious smile and laugh will live on forever. We celebrate the good memories but he will be missed more than words can say.
If you would like to leave a tribute, share stories, old photographs or videos, please visit his memorial website at: https://www.forevermissed.com/ david-goh-hooi-beng/
