It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved father, husband and friend, Stuart McLachlan. Our family is still trying to process this sudden loss, and we are reaching out for support during this incredibly difficult time.

Over the past month, Stuart had been fighting for his life while receiving urgent medical care and procedures at Paradise Private Hospital. Despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away. During this time, significant medical expenses were incurred, and our family is now working to pay off the hospital bills while also preparing for his funeral.

For those who knew Stuart, you would know he lived a life of quiet dedication and service to others.

He played an integral role in the early development of ICT in Papua New Guinea, contributing from as early as the 1980s when computers were still unfamiliar to many in the country. Stuart was a founding member of the PNG Computer Society and remained an active voice in the ICT community, including sharing knowledge and supporting others through the PNG ICT Group online community. He was a brilliant computer programmer who many people turned to for his knowledge and generosity with technology.

Stuart was also a highly respected member of the global PowerBASIC community, where he shared his expertise and passion for programming with others around the world. His knowledge, kindness and willingness to help fellow programmers earned him great respect, and he will be deeply missed by many within that community.

Beyond his work in ICT, Stuart had a deep love for the ocean and sailing. He was a committed member of the Royal Papua Yacht Club, where he played an active role in the sailing division and was always willing to help anyone interested in learning the sport he loved.

Stuart also dedicated many of his Sundays volunteering with PACSAR, assisting in search and rescue operations and giving his time to help keep others safe.

Above all, he was a good man — a loyal friend, loving husband, and devoted father who touched the lives of many people throughout Papua New Guinea.

As a family, we are humbly asking for any support to help cover the medical expenses from the past month and assist with funeral costs as we honour his life and say goodbye. Any contribution, no matter the size, means the world to us, and we are deeply grateful for your kindness, prayers, and support during this time.

Thank you for helping us celebrate and remember the life of Stuart McLachlan.