KUALA LUMPUR: The New Straits Times' former head proofreader K. Don Buddhadasa Bastin died on Friday. He was 86 years old.
Born in Pahang, Buddhadasa joined the English daily in May 1959 when it was known as Straits Times as a proofreader and stayed with the newspaper for 31 years.
As a proofreader, he was the daily's last gatekeeper in ensuring a copy is without blemish before it goes to print.
He was briefly appointed as a cadet journalist before his services as a proofreader were required in the Production Department again in 1977.
After almost 10 years in the role, he was promoted in April 1986 to head proofreader and retired four years later.
Retirement did not keep him away as Buddhadasa continued to serve the NST for many years, working as a stringer, contributing community-related stories to the then City Extra Desk and later Times Extra.
City Extra and Times Extra were sections in the NST dedicated to society, activities and community-based stories.
Buddhadasa was very passionate about writing and highlighting Malaysia's culture, cultural diversity and local traditions.
Some of his articles have been reproduced in several journals, including Adat Resam dan Kebudayaan Jilid 2 in 1990 by the University of Malaya Library.
Buddhadasa's former colleague, Lakshmi Natarajan, 75, described him as a humble and hard-working person.
"We were in different sections, but when we bumped into each other at work, he's always the first to greet. He didn't talk much, but was good at his work."
Another former colleague, A. Manimohan, 59, said when he joined the company, Buddhadasa was already in his 50s.
He said he first met Buddhadasa at the NST Production Department when the latter was head proofreader.
"I was very young when I was introduced to him at Balai Berita in the '80s. If I remember correctly, Buddhadasa retired in 1990 and rejoined NST as a stringer."
Buddhadasa's son, B. Prem, described his father as a very dedicated man who loved his job.
"Father was very proud of his achievement in the NST and would always talk about his experiences as we were growing up.
"He received recognition from the company for his long service in 1990 at an appreciation dinner held at Park Royal Hotel.
"They gave him a special watch with the company logo at the dinner, which he had very carefully kept over the years."
Buddhadasa leaves children and grandchildren. His wife G.K. Beatrice Serelatha has died.
Buddhadasa's wake is being held in 130-29, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
The cortege will leave the residence today at 9.30am for cremation at 11am at Petaling Jaya City Council's Kampung Tunku Crematorium.