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The horrific helicopter crash in Indonesia on Monday that claimed the life of Chemoil founder and chief executive officer Robert Chandran turned what would have been a company triumph into a tragedy that has left friends and colleagues in shock.
Family members joined close business associates to mourn and remember Mr Chandran on a day when he had been scheduled to officiate at the opening of the firm's new Helios Terminal.
Mr Chandran is survived by his wife Vivian, 53, and daughters Sharon, 31, and Ashley, 20.
His family held prayers for him yesterday morning at the Mount Vernon funeral parlour.
They were surrounded by four bodyguards and security personnel who used umbrellas to shield them from the media and public throughout the day.
They left Mount Vernon at 2.30pm for Mandai Crematorium where about 30 relatives and close friends paid their final respects before the cremation.
Last night, a larger ceremony was held with close to 300 business associates, friends and family gathering at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore to hold a private memorial service for the man ranked 14th on the Forbes 2007 list of 40 richest people in Singapore.
Guests said that there was great sadness in the room as friends and family spoke in tribute to a man who had touched the lives of those around him and made a profound impact on corporate Singapore.
Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who had lauded Mr Chandran in last year's Budget speech as an example of a global player who had chosen to sink roots in Singapore, was one who paid tribute.
Mr Tharman said after the one-hour service that he remembers Mr Chandran as a 'larger-than-life' character.
'He was a person who had tremendous conviction in what he was doing, and didn't wait for opportunities but went out and created them. He was the very definition of an entrepreneur,' he said.
Mr Tharman, who gave a short speech during the service, said Mr Chandran was a man with no airs about him and who was easy and friendly with everyone despite his great wealth and success.
'We knew each other for about a year, met a few times and stayed in contact through e-mail,' he added.
'He was never interested in protocol but just wanted to add value to the people around him.
'He leaves a legacy not just for Chemoil but for the community organisations he supported and the country.'
Mr Tharman said Mr Chandran, who became a Singapore citizen in 2005, had managed to influence many people and the industry as a whole in a short time.
Mr Felipe Alfonso, vice-chairman, board of trustees of the Asian Institute of Management in Manila, had taught Mr Chandran in the 1970s.
He said yesterday: 'He was a true friend, always interested in what people had to say and very very much always ready to help whenever his help was sought.
'When he was recently named one of Singapore's richest men, I sent him a text message saying, 'It's been a privilege knowing one of the richest men in Singapore'.
'And he answered back: 'You can win money, you can lose money. But friends are forever'.'
Chemoil said earlier that a talent search for Mr Chandran's successor would commence after its board members meet in Singapore by the end of this week.
Analysts had said earlier that the fate of Mr Chandran's 50.5 per cent stake in Chemoil could determine his replacement.
Japanese trading company Itochu, which owns 37.5 per cent of Chemoil and has two directors on the eight-member board, could have a major say in the decision.
The company, which provides marine fuel products to ships all around the world, had issued a statement on Wednesday reassuring investors and customers that all of its global operations were proceeding as normal.
Chemoil shares closed half a US cent higher yesterday at 49 US cents.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FIONA CHAN AND YANG HUIWEN
