Chen Sho Fa

Chen Sho Fa left his studies in 1947 to join the Singapore national basketball team, and played nationally until 1957. He finished his studies and became an engineer, starting the Oriental Structural Company Civil Engineers & Contractors, whose most prominent project was the now-defunct National Theatre and the firm also built a science wing at what was formerly the University of Singapore. He also ran a canned food business, sold mushrooms he had grown himself on Pulau Tekong, and sold hair care products.

In 1978 Chen left Singapore to visit his ageing parents in China and cared for them until 2011. He had married the oldest daughter of a construction company leader, and they had four children together, but during his time in China, they became estranged. On his return to Singapore Chen entered the St. John’s Home for Elderly Persons.