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SINGAPORE: Singapore's broadcasting industry has lost a stalwart. Former news reader, Vernon Palmer, died of pneumonia on Friday evening.
He was 84.
He was the voice of Singapore's baby-boomer generation.
Vernon Palmer, synonymous with radio and television news, was well-known for his affable style and sense of humour.
After 36 years on the job, he was even dubbed "MR BROADCASTER."
But after being ill for the past few years, he finally succumbed to pneumonia.
Mr Palmer's wake is being held at 74 Hua Guan Avenue.
His only child, Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Michael Palmer said his father's roots in broadcasting took place during the Japanese occupation.
He said: "He used to tinker and build his own radio receivers and transmitters. When the Japanese occupied Singapore, all this sort of became taboo and forbidden. So he went to work in the brewery, one of the tasks that he was asked to do was to actually work in to the electrical department and that's where he learnt his electrical skills. And towards the end of the war, he joined Radio Malaya and that's when his broadcasting career started."
And one of Michael's best memories of his father was during the glory days of the Malaysia Cup.
He added: "He would be either listening to the radio commentary of the match or watching it on TV. He would be watching the news at the same time - either the Chinese or Indian news and he would be listening to the radio commentary as well. That was his ability. He could watch all three things at the same time and pick up all the mistakes because the next day he would have to know what the mistakes were."
It's no doubt that Vernon Palmer was a true multi-tasker.
The stage director and radio producer also knew the ins-and-outs of being behind and in-front of the camera.
Industry colleagues said the 84-year old's passing is indeed sad.
But they said if he were alive, he'd say the show must go on. - CNA/vm
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