Raffles Institution pays tribute to 'Uncle Heng', beloved cafe operator who served school for over 40 years

School canteens are among the fondest memories many people carry from their school days.

They are not only places where friends across classes can catch up with each other, but also serve as an oasis away from the classrooms, refuelling hungry stomachs and satisfying cravings with snacks and drinks.

At the former Raffles Junior College and its current incarnation, the integrated Raffles Institution (RI), many of those memories are intertwined with one familiar figure: Heng Ah Kim, affectionately known to generations of Rafflesians as Uncle Heng.

Uncle Heng died at the age of 85 on Monday (Sept 21).

For more than four decades, Heng operated Heng's Cafe at the former Paterson Road and Mount Sinai campuses before moving with the school to its current Bishan campus.

"Uncle Heng was a constant in the Raffles community. Behind the counter, he was always there with a ready smile, a warm welcome and genuine care for those he served.

"Auntie Heng was by his side throughout, and together they built something that went far beyond a drinks and snacks stall," RI wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The school added that Heng's passing is deeply felt by all who knew him, and by the many whose school days were brightened by his presence at Heng's Cafe.

Paying tribute to the 85-year-old, RI said students and staff alike would recall simple rituals such as grabbing a drink between lessons, picking up a snack before co-curricular activities, or simply pausing at the stall before the next rush.

"In these everyday moments, Uncle Heng made you feel like you belonged. Without fanfare, he became part of the memories we carry from our school days."

The school also expressed gratitude for Uncle Heng's decades of service to the Raffles community, saying he and Auntie Heng brought a warmth to the canteen that made it feel "a little like home" for many.

The 85-year-old will be cremated at Mandai on Friday afternoon.

学校食堂是许多人学生时代最美好的回忆之一。

它们不仅是不同班级的朋友们互相交流的地方，也是远离教室的绿洲，可以补充饥饿的胃，用零食和饮料满足口腹之欲。

在以前的莱佛士初级学院及其现在的莱佛士综合学院（RI）中，许多回忆都与一个熟悉的人物交织在一起：金恒亚，几代莱佛士人都亲切地称他为恒叔。

恒叔于星期一（9月21日）去世，享年85岁。

四十多年来，Heng 在之前的 Paterson Road 和 Mount Sinai 校区经营着 Heng's Cafe，之后随着学校搬迁到现在的碧山校区。

“亨叔叔是莱佛士社区的常客。他总是面带微笑地站在柜台后面，热情地欢迎每一位顾客，并真诚地关心他们。”

“恒阿姨一直陪伴在他身边，他们一起打造的东西远远不止是一个饮料和小吃摊，”RI周三在Facebook上发帖写道。

学校补充说，所有认识Heng的人都深感悲痛，许多学生时代都因Heng在Heng's Cafe的出现而更加快乐。

RI 向这位 85 岁的老人致敬，并表示学生和教职员工都会回忆起一些简单的仪式，例如课间喝杯饮料，课外活动前吃点零食，或者在下一波高峰到来之前在小摊前稍作停留。

“在这些平凡的日子里，恒叔叔让你感到自己是其中一员。他默默无闻地成为了我们学生时代记忆的一部分。”

学校也对亨叔叔数十年来为莱佛士社区所做的贡献表示感谢，称他和亨阿姨为食堂带来了温暖，让许多人感觉“有点像家一样”。

这位85岁的老人将于周五下午在万代火化。