FREDRICK SEGAR

It was in the lush green hills of the former Lady Templer Hospital in Cheras that I first became acquainted with the late Fredrick. I was just a small primary school boy in the 60’s when I came to know him as Segaran. But very soon I regarded him as “Annan”, just as he was “Annan” to so  many of the younger ones in his extended family.

I remember Annan as a dashing young man then, complete with Elvis sideburns and drain-pipe pants. Generally a quiet guy but fun to be around. Always kept us entertained with interesting anecdotes in the compound of his home in hospital quarters.

I came to know Annan very closely in the 70’s when he became actively involved in the Apostolic Bible Christian Assembly church that my late father founded in Kampung Pandan and many us grew up in. He taught Sunday school, introduced new songs to the youths, assisted my late dad in driving out to rural areas to share the gospel and led us in several adventurous youth activities.

It was during those years, that Bagavathar Vedanayagam Sastriar of India along with his musical team first appeared on our shores with his unique ministry. Annan and I instantly became his number 1 fans and attended all of his local meetings, Annan also bought a cassette recorder and made a collection of Sastriar’s messages and songs, which provided us insight into invaluable Scriptural truths, not to mention hours of fun imitating Sastriar’s unique preaching style and catchy folk ditties. This also triggered Annan’s passion for Indian music, and he soon started his own collection of harmonium, tabla, dhollak, violin etc. Several years later, Annan even sponsored several Sastriar meetings and both of us were thrilled to have the honour of actually playing for Sastriar during his public meetings!

During his working life, Annan was very active in workers’ issues, and passionately devoted himself to the cause of fighting for unjustly treated workers. His prowess in analyzing facts and proposing solutions was simply amazing. I too was also one of those whom he helped to win a dispute with my then employer!

Annan’s long years of dedication to the Lord’s service was an amazing and undeniable expression of his deep love for the Lord. He quietly enrolled himself in Bible school and graduated without much fanfare. He devoted himself to assisting many pastors and outreaches, including Audio Visual and Literature Evangelism (AVL) which was run by the late Bro Ronney Kon. Yet his heart never ceased to be burdened for the development of our home church in Kampung Pandan, fondly known as ABCA, where so many of us had our early spiritual foundation. As its longest-serving president, his unique gift of remaining calm and focused even in the midst of chaotic circumstances, was pivotal in stabilizing our church in the years following the demise of my father. Today, finding myself in Annan’s shoes in the same church, I sorely miss the steady advocation, faithful dedication, clear foresight and humble patience that Annan exhibited during his nearly 50 years of passionate service and leadership in ABCA.

Just like his father, the late Joseph Suppiah, Annan’s patience when dealing with difficult characters and tight situations is very well known to all his friends and family. Many a time, Annan was the only go-to person when we found ourselves in a dead end, be it personal, employment, family or church issues. He never hesitated to step in to work out a resolution, even if it cost him in one form or another. His characteristic cool and methodical demeanour was sufficient to disarm even the toughest resistance. Annan has indeed left a big vacancy that cannot be filled.

During his last years, Annan’s energetic activities were severely restricted by his failing health. Yet his friendly smile, gentle disposition and spontaneous humour (not to mention his love for food), still continued to be visible to those around him. “Yes, Joe!” never failed to ring out everytime I visited him.

He would have been 73 today. But he earned his rest a year ago. Leaving a strange loneliness that was not there before.

A strong shoulder for the weary,

A sure canopy for the distressed,

A warm flame for the needy,

A glowing light for the lost,

Dedicated till the end,

Wise as a serpent,

Harmless as a dove.

A mentor,

A leader,

A friend,

A brother,

I will not see another Annan like him.

My Annan Fredrick Segar.