Francis Lok Tat Seng

Mr Fnacis great professional and we are going to miss as great engineer n good human being. Who always at the ready for helping hand.

Deepest condolences to you and may the departed soul rest in peace

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Francis Lok Tat Seng.

When I was in my third year at university, my fellow students and I organized “An Educational Trip to Sichuan, China”. Professor Lok, a senior academic in structural engineering and protective design at our School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, readily accepted our invitation to join us in Sichuan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

Throughout the trip, he took part in our planned activities with great enthusiasm. I still remember how heavy-hearted we all felt after leaving Beichuan County, where the earthquake had left so much in ruins. What we had seen stayed with us. Yet as we sat together over a meal, he spoke with such passion and conviction, encouraging us to find strength and carry on.

At Yunfeng Central Primary School in Xinqiao Town, he threw himself into games and lessons with the children affected by the earthquake. It was the first time I had heard him speak Chinese or seen him write Chinese characters. I can still picture this highly regarded university professor sitting quietly among the young pupils in a makeshift school built from prefabricated structures, attending a lesson just as they did.

Back at NTU, he continued to support our efforts as we organized an exhibition for the university community, helping more people learn about the lives and experiences of those affected by the disaster. Later, when he was unable to attend the premiere of our documentary, he even apologized to me more than once.

I never had the privilege of attending one of Professor Lok's lectures. Yet through that one journey together, I came to appreciate firsthand the character and grace of a true scholar.

May Professor Francis Lok Tat Seng rest in peace. I will treasure these memories forever.

Prof Lok will always be remembered for his style of teaching which made a dry subject easier to bear. thank you for the memories.

Sincere condolences to his family. Rest in peace.

Prof Lok was my Final Year Project supervisor. You will be missed, sir.

It was an honour knowing prof lok. He was a kind and warm gentleman to talk to. Rest in peace.

It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I say goodbye to my dear friend, Francis Lok whom I will always affectionately call Ah Lok. Ah Lok was a rare and beautiful soul. He was incredibly warm, deeply generous, and possessed a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel valued. I will never forget the elegant way he spoke, always conversing in perfect Queen’s English, and how he would look out for others with his signature, gentle check-in: "Nice is it?"
I will forever cherish the memories of our numerous drinking sessions with all our kakis, Chee Hiong, Teng Hooi, Cee Ing.........the hours spent laughing, joking, and simply enjoying each other's company. He had such boundless hospitality and a true joy for sharing life’s simple pleasures, often telling me, "Ah Bing, please find time, let me open a bottle of nice Barolo wine for you."
Even though he is no longer here, I am lucky to have physical reminders of his presence around me. In my home, I still keep many beautiful pieces of antique furniture that came from him. Every time I look at them, they serve as a constant, comforting reminder of his wonderful taste and our enduring bond.
It breaks my heart that we cannot share one last bottle of Barolo together, but the warmth of his friendship and the beautiful memories we made will stay with me forever.
Rest in peace, my dear friend Ah Lok. You will be so deeply missed.

Dr Lok made significant contributions to NTU and the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering. He was a faculty of CSE/CEE from 1991 to 2019, NTU Dean of Students from 2006 to 2012, and NTU Director of Students from 2012 to 2017. He will be remembered with great respect and fondness by faculty, staff, and the many students whose lives he touched throughout his career.

Prof Lok was my advisor in NTU CSE, 1999-2003.
Description
Of Prof Lok is nothing short, someone who bring cheers to the room, and someone who’s very positive and motivating despite the pragmatic and competitive environment in NTU and Singapore 3 decades ago.
Prof Lok gave me opportunity more than the available and provided by the campus, greatly appreciated.

There’s always and end to us human in this world, but the spirit of Prof Lok don’t just stop here.

May you rest in peace Prof, i’ll never forget the days in school.

We are all very shocked and saddened to hear of Dr Lok's passing. He was our Head of Department, Student Affairs Office, at NTU. He was a refreshing change from my previous bosses as he was very humble, approachable and encouraging. With students, he was always very friendly, joined in with their cheers and sports and, gave good advices & directions. We will all miss him dearly. Rest in peace, Dr Lok.

We are deeply saddened by Dr Lok's passing. We were colleagues at NTU and we remember his kindness and humanity. A scholar and gentleman, he will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences.
Alan Chan & Christine Ho, Singapore

Prof Lok, you were such a cheerful and warm person. You naturally put people around you at ease. It was a blessing to work under you. You encouraged rather than pressured, supported rather than judged. Even when things were challenging, your positive spirit and reassuring presence made a difference.
Thank you, Prof Lok. You will be remembered with fondness, gratitude and respect.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Lok.

Prof Lok was always generous, kind, and incredibly supportive of the student groups at NTU. His encouragement and warmth meant a great deal to many of us. I am also grateful to Mrs Lok, who stood alongside him in supporting the groups and attending our performances on many occasions.

I feel fortunate to have known Prof Lok not only as a boss, but as someone who led with kindness and genuine care for his students. I will always remember his generosity and the support he gave us.

Thank you, Prof Lok, for being such a kind and supportive boss. May his memory be a blessing, and may his family find peace, strength, and comfort during this difficult time.

I remember you fondly as the eccentric prof, cos you looked so much like Albert Einstein. It was always delightful to have your presence in the room, especially those times you will show up at the centre to check in on the team, especially during crunch times. I had never said, but always deeply cherished the empowering trust you’ve given to me in the years I was exploring ideas and figuring a way to contribute. Your attentiveness and encouragements and excitement as you listened to my crazy ideas had been what allowed much space for me to create beyond what I realised I could. I had already missed you when you departed our working space, and this much, too, this time when you depart this earth. Thank you for all your legacy, till we meet again, Prof Lok.

When you first interviewed me for a job at NTU, my impression of a curly-haired professor that looked like a smiling Asian Einstein stuck. From regaling me with ghost stories and standing by me when I received my first complaint from a disgruntled client, I dare say my stay at NTU was by far the best ever anyone could wish for in an employer. Please accept my gratitude and appreciation, Prof Lok. I miss you much.

Prof Lok lived with such passion, curiosity and humility. As a staff member, I always knew he had our backs—never backing down in the face of unreasonable demands, even when they came from someone in a position of “greater power”.

Thank you, Prof Lok, for always standing up for what is right and for being such an inspiring leader. You will be dearly missed. 🙏

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Francis Lok. Through his vision, dedication, and leadership, he created the unique international platform SILOS, which has connected researchers and practitioners for many years. His contributions to the shock and impact engineering community will continue to inspire future generations.

We will remember Francis as an energetic, curious, and inspiring person. We are grateful for his friendship, guidance, and enduring legacy. He will be greatly missed.

On behalf of the SILOS 15 Organizing Committee,
Joosef, Leo and Morgan

We deeply mourn the passing of Er Dr Lok Tat Seng, Francis (1954–2026), a beloved professor and benefactor of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT). During his memorable visits to Vietnam, Dr. Lok brought warmth, joy, and encouragement to our campus, touching countless lives by personally awarding scholarships to HCMUT students. His kindness, generosity, and commitment to empowering young minds leave an indelible legacy that will always be cherished in our hearts.

Dear all,

I am incredibly shocked and grieved to hear about the sudden passing of Professor Lok.

He was a remarkable scholar and a truly warm, generous colleague who made immense contributions to the structural engineering community.
His presence and passion will be profoundly missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult time.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the team at CI-Premier.

With deepest sympathy,

Kazunori Fujikake

It’s incredibly hard to say goodbye to Dr. Lok. He wasn't just a phenomenal friend; he was also one of the brightest minds many of us had the privilege of knowing.

Dr. Lok was a deeply cherished friend of my family. I will always fondly remember the lunches we shared with him or/and his wonderful wife, Monica. Those casual, warm catch-ups meant the world to us. That is what makes his sudden departure so devastating—we had already arranged to meet next May when he was due to be back in Singapore. It is heartbreaking that this reunion won't happen, but it makes the time we did have together feel even more precious.

Personally, what I will treasure most is how he always believed in me. He was constantly encouraging me to strive for my best, never letting me settle for less than what I was capable of.

He was also a man of immense patience. Knowing that I am not a structural engineer, he took the time to gently explain the concept of structural protection in a way I could easily uunderstand.

Despite his massive academic achievements, he was always just "Dr. Lok" to us—humble, approachable, and incredibly warm. He never wore his expertise on his sleeve. Instead, he was always ready with a kind word, a supportive smile, and great conversation over a good meal.

We’re going to miss his wisdom, his presence, and his friendship deeply. Our hearts go out to Monica and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Dr. Lok. You made the world a safer, better place, and you definitely left a lasting mark on all of us.

My deepest condolences. I met Francis some 10-15 years ago in the IStructE meetings in UK and we have been friends since then. He is kind and trustworthy – true to the friends and kind to all. We had emails several months back and it is sad to hear this and it is truly a lost to all.
I am privileged to have Francis as a friend and may he rest in peace.
Eddie Lam

I remember Francis well he was also smiling and spreading cheer around. I believe his memory will live in the hearts of many.

What can I say, words alone are not good enough to share how much we will miss our uncle Frances. Whilst much of my life you were living overseas, every moment we got to catch up was always filled with the magical mischief you always brought. Every visit was full of laughter and hugs. I remember the last time we visited as a child before you moved back to Singapore, you ran back into the house saying you had something for me.

Out you came with a brown and black leather charm insisting it was now my good luck charm. Fast forward to just last month when we saw you at my parents house and the same heart of gold did similar for my daughter, only this time the whispers handed her some spending money with instructions she must not share it and instead treat herself to something nice.

Hearing the news of your passing was a shock, and to be honest it just feels so cruel that you have been taken from all who loved you in this sudden way.

Knowing the amazing good you have done in life and continued to do in death is more testament to the person you always have been and the amazing family you have raised.

We will remember you fondly as I always have, to many friends over the years you were living overseas

I can’t share stories of you without smiling and sharing how much fun you were and what a joy to be around you always were.

We will miss you forever.

All our love.

Carly and Family xxx

It is with great sadness that all of us at Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd learned of the sudden passing of Dr Lok. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Lok many times, both here in the UK and in Singapore, while Premier was expanding into the Far East. Those meetings were among the most enjoyable and worthwhile of that journey, and that was largely down to Dr Lok himself.

Dr Lok was a true gentleman. Whenever we met, he brought charm, enthusiasm, expertise and a great depth of knowledge. He gave his insight freely and his good humour made every conversation a pleasure. He had a gift for building warm relationships across borders and cultures, and his support and wisdom helped us greatly as we found our feet in a new region. He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the good fortune to work with him.

Everyone at Premier Security is deeply saddened by his loss. We send our heartfelt condolences and blessings to his family and friends at this very difficult time. We hope they take comfort in knowing how widely he was respected and admired, and how fondly he will be remembered by all of us who knew him.

With deepest sympathy,

Neil Johns
Managing Director
Premier Security Ballistic & Blast Ltd

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Lok, a remarkable colleague and friend to many of us.

For many years, I had the privilege of serving alongside him at IStructE Singapore Division, sharing many meaningful moments before my retirement from the organisation. Beyond our shared projects, he was a true inspiration in the classroom. I still vividly remember attending his lectures—he was always so animated, energetic, and full of passion for his subject.

My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many lives he touched. His dedication to serve and his vibrant spirit as an educator and friend will be greatly missed.

JW

Francis gave so much to the structural engineering community. He was always willing to share his knowledge, guide younger engineers and support others quietly and generously. I am personally grateful for his friendship, advice and encouragement over the years.
His passing is a great loss to all of us who knew him and to the profession he served with such dedication.
Thank you, Francis, for your friendship, mentorship and all that you have done for our community. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Dear Prof Lok

Hearing this news came as a complete shock, and it is truly difficult to come to terms with your passing. You left such a lasting impression on me as someone who was always full of life - wonderfully cheerful, deeply resourceful, and constantly ready to lend a helping hand. Your warmth and generosity will never be forgotten.

You will be deeply missed. May you rest in peace in a better place.

Prof Lok is a good friend and colleague over the years in the Singapore IStructE Committee. Always a delight and joy to be with in business, as well as informal gatherings. Last saw him online in our committee meeting joining us online just 2 weeks ago. Unexpected departure. The fragility of life. I pray for his wife Monica, and family that they will be comforted in the Lord and His peace be with them.
SHalom,
YC Mak Singapore Joint Committee member.

Dear Prof. Lok you will be sadly missed in future IStructE Committee meetings and events. You will be remembered for your charm, humour, sincerity and straightforward and yet gentle characters. Rest in peace!

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of my dear mentor, Dr. Lok, on 24 September 2026.
Dr. Lok was the one who warmly welcomed me into the IStructE family. He was a foundational pillar in my professional journey—guiding me step-by-step to establish the SWISE (Singapore Women in Structural Engineering) sub-committee and patiently training me in the complexities of conference organisation. His wisdom, patience, and unwavering belief in my potential shaped the professional I am today.
Thank you, Dr. Lok, for your selfless mentorship and for always championing the growth of others. Your profound legacy will live on through the committees you built and the many lives you touched. You will be dearly missed.

Prof Lok, I will always miss Your mentorship, friendliness and jokes. RIP Prof Lok

It is extremely sad to have learned of Dr. Lok’s passing. He was a great inspiration and a truly incredible and unique person.

May he rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to all his family and friends.

I first met Francis over a decade ago at the SILOS conference in Ottawa, Canada.

Francis welcomed me like an old friend, and each time I met up with him afterwards he would show a warmth, compassion, and good humour that is exceedingly hard to come by, even if our absence had been many years. His ability to facilitate conversation was second-to-none. A true people person. You will be missed, Francis.

It is with profound sadness that we learnt of the passing of Professor Dr Francis Lok Tat Seng, a dear friend, respected colleague and longstanding member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) community.

Francis dedicated more than two decades of service to the IStructE Singapore Regional Group, contributing immensely to the advancement of our Institution and the structural engineering profession in Singapore. As the 13th Chairman of the Singapore Regional Group (2017–2018), he led with great passion and commitment, bringing members together, promoting the sharing of professional knowledge, and encouraging and supporting younger generations of structural engineers.

Yet Francis will be remembered not only for what he achieved, but also for the person he was. He was generous with his knowledge and experience, warm and approachable, and always willing to offer guidance and encouragement. His enthusiasm for structural engineering was infectious, and many of our members benefited from his mentorship, friendship and unwavering commitment to the profession.

His contributions extended well beyond his term as Chairman and Francis served on IStructE Council for a number of years and contributed significantly. For many years, Francis remained a familiar and valued member of the IStructE Singapore family, giving freely of his time and expertise and helping to strengthen the Regional Group and its connections with the wider engineering community.

Francis leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the many engineers he taught, mentored and inspired, and through the professional community that he helped to build, particularly in the area of protective structures.

On behalf of The Institution of Structural Engineers and the IStructE Singapore Regional Group, we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to Francis’s family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them during this very difficult time.

Francis, thank you for your friendship, your service and your remarkable contribution to our Institution and profession. You will be dearly missed and fondly remembered. May you rest in peace.

Scientia Professor Brian Uy
President
The Institution of Structural Engineers

Er. Dr Tran Chi Trung
Chairperson
IStructE Singapore Regional Group

I have known Prof Lok in 2016 through our work on the security by design project, followed closely by the development of the HVM and SBD products.
Over the years, I was truly blessed to benefit from his vast knowledge, his unparalleled experience, his patient guidance, and his constant, wise counsel. He was always generous with his time and his heart. Whenever I approached him — seeking advice, technical analysis, or simply a moment to talk — he would never say no. He gave freely, taught fully, and trusted completely.
I will deeply miss so many things: the laughter we shared, the journeys we travelled and the privilege of walking this path beside him. But what I cherish most is the promise I have made — to preserve his teachings and uphold his standard. His legacy will not end; it will live on through the work we continue.
Prof Lok was not only my mentor — he was my dear friend, my teacher, and my brother.
Thank you, Prof Lok, for everything. You will be deeply missed and never, ever forgotten.
Rest in peace, my dear friend and brother.

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Francis Lok. His passing came as a great shock to me, as we had been trying to arrange a meal catch-up in July 2027. We had unfortunately missed the opportunity to meet in May this year when he was in Singapore, as he had such a packed schedule.

Francis and I both came from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which was another connection we shared. He was a humble, generous and warm-hearted person. I greatly admired his outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, especially as an engineering professional.

He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

May you rest in eternal peace, Francis. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I was deeply surprised to hear Professor Lok’s passing.

I am now very sad. He (72 years old) was so younger than I (88 years old).

He started and organized the SILOS conference series from the 1st to 15th.

Fortunately, I attended the SILOS from the 1st to 14th without rest.

Therefore, I could meet him every conference.

He was very friendly, generous and a great professor on shock and impact loads on structures.

May heartfelt condolences to his family.

May he rest in peace forever.

In His Love,

Nobutaka Ishikawa

(Emeritus Professor, National Defense Academy, Japan)

I was very saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Professor Lok. His knowledge and enthusiasm for protective structures and blast engineering is very appreciated. I most recently met him at SILOS 2023 and PROTECT 2024 in Singapore.
Prof. Lok made significant contributions to our field and was always generous and passionate in sharing his knowledge and experience with others. He will be greatly missed by all of us in the protective structures community.
My deepest condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Wensu Chen (representing CIMP at Curtin University, Australia)

I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Prof Lok Tat Seng. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Prof Lok was always very patient and generous in sharing his knowledge and experience. He was never selfish with what he knew and was always willing to guide and help others. I will always remember how he was a warm, approachable, and easy to talk to person.

Thank you, Prof Lok, for the knowledge, kindness, and memories. You will be dearly missed. May you rest in peace.

I was deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the passing of Professor Lok.

Although we were from different generations, Professor Lok always treated me with great warmth and kindness whenever we met at international conferences on protective structures subjected to impact and blast loads. I will always remember his thoughtful advice and insightful discussions on research.

It was a great privilege to have known him, and his passing is a great loss to our research community.

My heartfelt condolences go to his family, colleagues, and students. May he rest in peace.

The sudden departure of Dr Lok has left us shaken and deeply saddened. Our sincerest condolences to Monica, Justin and the rest of the family.

Dr Lok always brightened up the room with his intellect, wit and charm. I always fondly recall our trip to Wollongong Australia where we witnessed blast testing in the day and he regaled us with tales of his teaching and military days at night over drinks.

Working with Dr Lok has left us with a profound respect of his engineering expertise and his patience in teaching those around him.

Rest in Peace, Dr Lok. You will be dearly missed.

- Brian & the Team at Tacam Steel

I was deeply saddened and greatly shocked to learn of Professor Lok’s passing. I remain sincerely grateful for his invaluable support as a co‑organizer of the 9th SILOS International Conference held in Fukuoka in 2011.

Over the past six years, my responsibilities in university administration as an executive vice president have made it difficult to see him in person. However, I was scheduled to resume overseas travel starting next year, and I had been looking forward to the opportunity to meet him again. It is truly heartbreaking.

I respectfully offer my deepest condolences and pray for Professor Lok’s eternal peace.

It is with great sadness that I learned of Dr. Lok’s passing.

I have known Dr. Lok since 1995 during my time at NTU. Over the years, I had the pleasure of attending numerous parties, meetings, and conferences organized by him, and I have many fond memories of the wonderful times we shared.

I will always remember his kindness, enthusiasm, optimism, and encouragement. He was a warm and inspiring person who brought energy and positivity to those around him. I feel fortunate to have known him and to have shared so many memorable moments with him.

He will be deeply missed, but his kindness, spirit, and the memories he created with so many of us will always remain.

My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace.

We are deeply saddened to learn of thesudden passing of Dr. Lok. All of us atour Foshan factory are heartbroken. OnSeptember 5, you traveled from afar tovisit our factory and met with us. Yourvoice and smile are still before our eyes.We never expected that farewell wouldbecome forever. We offer our deepestcondolences. May you rest in peace,and may your family find strength. Dr.Lok, rest in peace.

Prof Lok was my NTU lecturer back in 2001 and taught me Structures 2. I was always inspired by his lectures and how he was always full of energy and enthusiasm.
I still remember when I approached him for supporting my IStructE exam application in 2010 he was very supportive. Later throughout my career and together with him serving in IES-IStructE Joint Committee, he has been offering valuable advice and encouragement, and we enjoyed discussions and laughter over beers. He is an authority in security & blast matters and the go-to person for advice, for which I must admit I have benefited immensely from your courses as well as chat & discussion. Prof Lok, you will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.

Although we came from the same class and school, MBS Sentul, somehow the opportunity to interact did not arise. My one and only as well as last but lasting conversation with him was in a car when I picked him up for a lunch appointment in Sept 2024. That conversation to and fro was packed with catch up, his sharing of his wife's condition, the intricacies of blast technology, NUS teaching experience and in that time, I saw and felt geographical distance and 56 years of time separation melted away. He left room for a catch up in 2025 which alas was not to be in the manner of Sept 2024 as we were with a crowd. What rings in my ear till today is the tone of his voice, saturated with warm friendship, enthusiasm, leaving you wanting more of this friendship. To Monica, Justin, Rebecca and the wider family, we grief with you but better still, receive our comfort. God Bless and strengthen you all.

Seng Gee

Always jovial with a twinkle in his eye and never a dull moment in his lectures. One of the rare lecturers in the 90s who can spark interest in the most elusive and dreaded subject of our time- matrix analysis

I have known Francis more than 65 years.

I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a dear friend for so many years” is often more meaningful

Deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Lok.

I had the privilege of learning from and working with Prof Lok, whose depth of knowledge in security, blast engineering, blast testing was matched only with his passion for the profession and generosity in sharing his knowledge.

Thank you Prof Lok for the guidance and the impact you have had on my profession journey.

Rest in peace, Prof Lok. You will be greatly missed.

Fortunate to have met Prof Lok at the start of my career in blast engineering, and privileged to have interacted with him through projects, conferences, and conversations beyond work. Beyond his passion for sharing knowledge, he was a warm and caring mentor who constantly reminded the younger generation to make time for family and not work too hard.
His festive greetings and beautiful gardening photos were always gentle reminders of the beauty in life beyond our daily routines. Thank you for your wisdom, kindness, and encouragement. Your warmth will always stay with me, and the lessons you shared will continue to inspire me.

RIP, Prof.

Vivian

Our heartfelt condolences to the wife, son (Justin) and family members of Professor En. Dr. Lok Tat Seng.

We first came to know Dr. Lok through working on fire-rated blast proof steel doors when he was at NTU in Singapore. We gained invaluable insight form his engineering knowledge and experience. He got us the opportunity to test our blast doors in Woomera Australia. We continued working with him on blast resistant doors even after he returned to the UK and our next generation continued to benefit from his engineering expertise.

Working together, a natural friendship developed with Dr. Lok. He was gentle, unassuming, spoke the truth directly with no guile, and wonderful to work with. We did not study under him but imagine he must have been one of the most loved and popular professors in the Universities he taught.

It was with great sadness we heard of his passing and we will miss him greatly.

With God's Love,
Rodney, Alan, Brian and families

It was my honor to meet Prof Lok and share a meal with him recently. His sudden departure has left me both shocked and deeply saddened.Though our time together was brief, he spoke without reservation about what a young engineer like me must be equipped with to navigate the industry. We did not have much time that day, as his schedule was full, and I offered to take him on a food hunt when he next returned, so that we could continue our conversation.I will hold close the memory of that meal and everything he shared that day. Thank you, Prof Lok, for the kindness and guidance you gave so freely. Your words will stay with me as I find my way in this industry, and I will not forget you.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Professor Lok’s passing. He was a dear friend and a person I greatly respected. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom and friendship. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

— Chan Fan

Dr. Lok, you always be remembered as one of my favourite lecturers and I was never bored attending your classes in NTU. Your specialization in Protective Structures Engineering and Blast-Resistant Structural Design has always impressed me. If I remember correctly, the last time we met was in year 2000 in Shanghai, when all of us who was working in China gathered to meet you. Dr. Lok, you will always be in my heart, the lecturer who was so approachable and always ready to lend a helping hand. Rest in peace Dr. Lok.

In Loving Memory of Professor Er. Dr. Lok Tat Seng

It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we gather to remember and honour our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Professor Er. Dr. Lok Tat Seng.

Professor Lok was a distinguished scholar whose contributions to the fields of protective structures, impact and blast engineering were truly outstanding. His research and dedication have left a lasting mark on our discipline, and his work will continue to inspire generations of researchers and engineers to come.

But to those of us who had the privilege of knowing him personally, he was so much more than an accomplished academic. He was a warm, kind, and generous friend — always approachable, always willing to help, and always ready to share his wisdom with a gentle smile. His friendship and collegiality touched the lives of everyone around him.

We shared many memorable moments together. We worked side by side in organising the 8th International Conference on Protection of Structures against Hazards which was held in Shenyang during 19-22 September 2024, and up to this Tuesday we were eagerly preparing for the 9th International Conference on Protection of Structures against Hazards (PSH 2026), to be held in Shaoxing, China, during 13–16 November 2026. His sudden passing has left us with a profound sense of loss. I have lost a dear friend and a trusted partner, and our community has lost a great educator and scholar.

To honour his remarkable legacy, we have decided to organise a Special Session at the 9th International Conference on Protection of Structures against Hazards (PSH 2026) in Shaoxing, China (web link http://123.57.162.153/ and wechat official account link https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/t1MhzZWvmyd-iRlG5bZ5ug, for PSH 2026). This Special Session will be dedicated to memorizing the life, work, and spirit of Professor Lok Tat Seng — a great educator, a distinguished researcher, and a truly kind and friendly soul.

He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. May his soul rest in peace.

Very sad news indeed . We’ve been friends for >30 years .
we climbed Mt Ophir in 2001 , went for the tree-top walk at McRitchie Reservoir with my kid , shopping trips in Jb with my family , many lunches, dinners & beer drinking sessions etc..
He was also a volunteer at Farrer Park Swimming pool, teaching the disabled swimming many years ago .
In NTU,he was one of the few Profs who would stop and chat about everything under the sun 😀with the non-academic staff , students ,even with the cleaning ladies 😉👍always friendly and so cheerful . He will always be remembered.
RIP my friend 🙏🏻

YC Ho

I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Prof Lok Tat Seng. He was not only my postdoctoral mentor but also a dear friend whom I have always held in the highest regard. His kindness, wisdom, and generosity left a lasting impression on me, and we have stayed in touch over the years, sharing both professional insights and personal warmth.

We had been looking forward to his visit to Changsha with his wife Monica this year, hoping to welcome him here for academic exchange and to spend precious time together. It is heartbreaking that this will never come to pass. The news has left me, and all who knew him, with a profound sense of loss.

Prof Lok was a brilliant scholar and a genuinely good man — always encouraging, always positive, always full of life. I will treasure the memories of our conversations and the lessons he taught me, both in engineering and in life. His spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Rest in peace, Prof Lok. You will be deeply missed.

With heartfelt condolences,

Li Xibing

I feel very fortunate to have known Dr. Lok.

Although I was not his student, he kindly taught me a great deal about industrial flooring. He had a wonderful ability to explain technical knowledge in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and I always learned something from our conversations.

He was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely kind. I will always be grateful for his guidance and generosity.

Rest in peace, Dr. Lok. You will be greatly missed.

The first time I met Prof. Lok was in Melbourne, where the 2nd SILOS was held. Since then, we’ve discussed many things at various conferences and have grown closer. I’ve always genuinely admired his sociable nature and foresight. Thank you, Prof Lok, for your kindness, enthusiastic energy and friendship. You will be deeply missed by our friends. Masuhiro Beppu

Prof Francis, as I still like to address him even after his time in NTU, taught me more than 25 years ago, and I can still remember the enthusiasm, the passion, the excitement he brought into every lecture. And this continued in the last 15 years when we are both in IStructE committee. Prof Francis has dedicated his life to engineering and bringing good to society through his work. I am grateful to have connected and learned much from his wisdom. Rest well, Prof.

Prof Lok is a very friendly and trustworthy friend. He is knowledgeable and always eager to help others. His voice, appearance and smile always have been in my memory. He will always remind in my mind.