Founder of Ann Yu Li TCM Clinic passes away at 77 after suffering chest pains at kite-flying event

Ong Cheng Her, co-founder of Ann Yu Li TCM Clinic, passed away peacefully in hospital on May 28 after a series of heart complications. He was 77.

Ong and his wife founded Ann Yu Li Medical Hall, now known as Ann Yu Li TCM Clinic, in 1986.

Over the decades, the couple dedicated themselves to providing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) care to generations of patients.

Career journey

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Ong's widow, surnamed Lim, recalled that her husband did not initially set out to become a physician.

Instead, he had operated an ornamental fish export business with friends.

However, his career path changed after his aunt developed diabetes.

Coupled with his longstanding interest in Chinese herbal medicine, the experience inspired him to study TCM.

Ong graduated from Chung Hwa Medical Institution in the 1970s, where he met Lim.

After graduation, the couple devoted themselves to the practice of TCM.

In the early years of his career, Ong worked at various Chinese medicine halls to gain experience.

Encouraged by his father-in-law, whose family also ran a medical hall, the couple went on to establish Ann Yu Li Medical Hall.

For Ong's children, the clinic holds many childhood memories for them.

"We would run to the clinic every day after school," his daughter told Shin Min. "While other children ate potato chips and snacks, we grew up eating dried longan, goji berries and ginseng."

Ong's son described his father as a warm and humorous father.

"He wasn't strict at all. He was always joking, whether at home or in the clinic. My own son is now learning to tell corny jokes just like his grandfather."

Experienced chest pain during a kite-flying activity

Despite enjoying good health for most of his life, Ong suffered a heart attack late last year and subsequently underwent two coronary artery bypass surgeries, Shin Min reported.

He was hospitalised again on May 10 after experiencing chest pain while participating in a kite-flying activity.

After 18 days in the hospital, he passed away peacefully on May 28.

Passion for kite-making

According to Shin Min, beyond his work in TCM, Ong was also widely known for his passion for kite-making.

His daughter said their family home included a dedicated kite workshop filled with sewing machines, fabric and tools.

"Whenever he had free time, he would immerse himself in designing and sewing kites," she said. "Over the years, he created more than a hundred works. Family days were often spent flying kites together."

Among the pieces displayed at his wake were some of his most treasured creations, including an umbrella designed to fly as a kite and a leaf-shaped kite with detachable ladybug and moth decorations.

"He always said that not only birds can fly, even leaves and ladybugs deserve the chance to soar through the sky," his daughter said.

Ong also travelled extensively to promote kite culture, taking part in international festivals and exchange programmes in Sri Lanka, India, China and Malaysia.

Through the Xin Yi Kite Association, he actively promoted kite-making and helped foster the growth of Singapore's kite-flying community.

His son recalled one of his father's favourite sayings: "Life is like flying a kite. You can't simply let it go without reeling it in. You need to know when to release and when to pull back in order to fly high and far."

He said the analogy reflected not only Ong's approach to kite-making, but also his philosophy on life.

Son and daughter-in-law have taken over the clinic

The next generation of the family has since taken over the clinic.

According to Shin Min, after completing his polytechnic education and national service, Ong's son became his father's first apprentice in 2007, learning bone-setting and other TCM techniques.

He has now spent nearly two decades in the field.

His wife, who previously worked as an auditor, later made a mid-career switch into TCM after experiencing health issues linked to long-term workplace stress.

She said her father-in-law encouraged her to explore TCM after learning that his son intended to pursue studies in the field.

After attending a trial class, she developed a keen interest in the field and eventually enrolled in the programme.

She graduated in 2015 and obtained her licence before joining the clinic full-time.

Today, the couple jointly manages Ann Yu Li TCM Clinic. Ong's son oversees physiotherapy and therapeutic massage services, while his wife handles consultations and prescriptions.

Together, they hope to continue the family's mission of serving patients through traditional Chinese medicine while preserving the legacy built by Ong and his wife over the past four decades.