In Pictures: People from all walks of life pay respects to former president S R Nathan

People from all walks of life turned up at Singapore General Hospital and the Istana early Tuesday morning (Aug 23) to pay their respects to the late President S R Nathan and pen messages for him and his family.

Updated

Published

Aug 23, 2016, 10:51 AM

The commemoration table at Singapore General Hospital. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Paralympian Dr William Tan,59, at the Istana. He spoke of the time he received help from Mr Nathan after he was diagnosed with stage 4 leukaemia. Mr Nathan autographed his book which helped to raise funds for his cancer treatment. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Lady Colette Chow (right), 82, wife of Sir Henry Chow, Honorary Consul-General of Singapore in Papua New Guinea, came down to the Istana with a friend. She described Mr Nathan as being down-to-earth and said tears came to her eyes when she heard of his passing. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

A bouquet of flowers is laid at the Istana for S R Nathan. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

A woman walks past the Ministry of Health building with a state flag at half-mast as a mark of respect for former president S R Nathan. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

School of the Arts students drop by the Istana to write messages for Mr S R Nathan. One of them, Chelsea Kiew, 15, remembers the former president from National Day Parades. ST PHOTO: CAROLYN KHEW

Permanent resident Glenn van Zutphen, 52 and his children Max, seven, and Kate, 10, writing cards for Mr Nathan. Mr van Zutphen, who is from the United States, had met Mr Nathan around his estate and was struck by his humility. ST PHOTO: CAROLYN KHEW

Mr Mok Yong Khiam, 84, who works part-time at McDonald's, feels Mr Nathan was a very good and humble man. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Notes by Singaporeans in tribute to a beloved people's president. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

A guard watches over preparations at the Istana. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Staff at Singapore General Hospital take turns to pen messages for Mr Nathan. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Breast surgeon Benita Tan, 45, is grateful to Mr Nathan and hopes the younger generation recognises and appreciates what he has done. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Retiree Hajamaideen Allapitchai, 74, an ex-graphic artist from The Straits Times, writing his message for Mr Nathan at SGH. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

The message boards at Istana filled with condolence messages for Mr S R Nathan. ST PHOTO: CAROLYN KHEW

Retiree Mauricio V. Soliano, 78, who met Mr Nathan last year when he was working at Robinsons as a salesman. ST PHOTO: CAROLYN KHEW

Madam Celin Foong, 53, account executive at the Istana, puts up her condolence message. She had been praying for Mr Nathan since he was admitted to hospital. ST PHOTO: CAROLYN KHEW

Clinical coder Veron Ann Lincoln, 33, was saddened by Mr Nathan's death and proud to have had him as President. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Sself-employed computer engineer Lin Rong Xiang, 34, had trouble sleeping when he heard the news and took the first train down to the Istana. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

The first member of the public to pay his respects is Reverend Lee Tay Lang Shifarong, 60, who said he was very sad and had met Mr Nathan many times during community events. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Message boards set up at the Istana from the early Tuesday morning for members of the public to pen their messages. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

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