Issue:

September 2024 | Obituary

Bob Neff’s kindness will be remembered, not least by the FCCJ’s staff

Respect is a word that springs to mind when I remember Bob Neff. I was able to express my respect for him publicly back in 1998 when I ran against him for election as president of the FCCJ. We chose our leaders by a vote among regular members in those days – a better system than the one we have now.

I didn’t expect to win against someone of Bob’s stature at the club and, sure enough, he beat me by a significant margin. But I was able to shake his hand and say to him when the results in the Main Bar: “It’s never nice to lose, but if I had to lose, I’m happy that it was to someone like you, Bob.” 

And I meant it. I knew the club would be in good hands; Bob exuded an air of calmness and decency that was mirrored by his actions. The Number 1 Shimbun labelled me a “good loser” but, as I say, my words were a sign of the respect I had for Bob rather than me just going through the electoral motions.

Another memorable occasion on which I felt that respect was in 2012, when the FCCJ fired 64 members of its kitchen and waiting staff as it prepared to outsource its food and beverage operations. It was a grievous mistake that prompted several of us, led by FCCJ veteran Sam Jameson, to seek a court injunction to prevent or delay the staff-shedding until wiser heads could prevail. The firings nevertheless went ahead, as our injunction was not granted in time.

On the final night of work for many long-serving FCCJ staff, Bob made a farewell speech and shook their hands one by one, even though he was not club president at the time and was not dutybound to do so.

I think that the departing staff – some of whom had served as waiters, kitchen staff and in other positions for many years – felt a deep gratitude for Bob’s gesture. I like to think that his actions are recorded in a great book in Heaven, and that Bob’s admission will have gone through “on the nod”.

Anthony Rowley is a columnist and contributor for the South China Morning Post.