Langkawi Gazette

Bob McKean passed away

Mark: 8/12 Sep 2010

Updated with Time of cremation

Bob McKean, who was living in Langkawi for may years, passed away today at about 14.30 in Telaga.
He was looking out for a boat, when he suddenly felt down and was probably dead right away. He was 74 years old. His body is at the hospital for a post mortem examination – which, because of Hari Raja takes a few days.

The cremation will be on Tuesday, 14 Sept, 12.00 noon in the little Indian Temple in Kisap. This is - in my own experience with this place - only an approximate time !!
Where it is: coming from Kuah in the direction of the Kilim River (Hole in the Wall) - but not so far, only 5.3 km from the Petronas Fuel Station - just before the big Indian Temple - which is also on the left side. It's a bit uphill in the woods, but can be seen from the road - parking is on the main road - as up the hill is no space and you would not be able to turn around.

I learnt to know Bob when we became neighbors in the Lagenda Tower Block about 7 years ago.

We soon found out, that we could help each other with computer- and website-knowledge and other things - and discovered, that we could relay on each other. In our way we became friends and kept the connection. Bob put a lot of work in the ‘Marine Guide” (on this website) and started to build up his broker company ‘YBC'.

As he was loyal, ethical and very reliable, he was very well respected and trusted by everyone of good intent and his company soon had a very good reputation and was very successful. In the last year he joined with Paul Jackson (Dynamite Paul) – an experienced Langkawi Sailor – a partnership he liked and which proofed to be stable and fruitful. They were just in the process of expanding it by taking a common office, when destiny struck.

We hope that Paul will be allowed to take over and continue the activities of the company – which would most certainly have been Bob’s wish.

Bob – if you can here me now: You never believed in something ‘supernatural’ – so how are you doing now? Surprised? I wish you all the best – and that – after some time – you will be ready for a new game – and sail toward a new adventure.
  

A note by his partner, Paul Jackson:

In the time that I knew Bob it was all about work and commitment, every day.  A day off did not exist and I would have followed Bob in that manner always.... work and succeed.  I cannot guess what his agenda was for such a work rate at his age but it was clear to me that he was driven to be the best.  For such a single minded man, he gave very personal and understanding service to his clients.

Being such an independent man,  I feel that he preferred to work on, despite feeling like shit many days, rather than give up and become sick in his home..... in this way I describe that he went out of the front door rather than the back door !

I will miss old Bob a great deal.  We had chatted about my further involvement and he was giving signs to me that it was becoming hard to press on and that he should take a slower role.

The touching thing about today was that he turned up unexpectedly at the airport where I was waiting for a client of his.....  because he found the time ..  and we were able to chat.  My car was blocked in by a van, so Bob took us to the ferry for Rebak himself and he saw us off on the ferry to Rebak.  He was to return to pick us up at 3.30pm.  So, providence or whatever the word is, allowed me to see the old guy a last time.......  that was strange and lucky for me ..   My Chinese girlfriend says it was not at all strange that he showed up for that last time, since things happen in life that we cannot explain, when perhaps other wheels are turning.