Remembering Torben Vester: A Danish Legacy at Bleu Marine

It is with a heavy heart that Beijing has bid farewell to beloved Danish expat resident and co-owner of Bleu Marine Torben Vester, who passed away on Aug 5 at the age of 67. His wife, Celine Shen, expressed her grief, stating, "With deepest sorrows, I share the news of the passing of the love of my life, my whole world, your beloved 'Morfar', Torben Vester. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on a beautiful, sunny day, Aug 5, 2023."

She further penned, "Torben changed my life when he one day walked into my restaurant in 2004. Now, so many years later, I know he has meant a lot to many more of you throughout the years as well" Their love story sprouted in Bleu Marine, leading to two years of courtship before they tied the knot in 2007. Torben quickly became a beloved fixture at Bleu Marine, introducing Danish delicacies to the menu, including his personal favorite, the Danish Platter.

Always the gracious host, Torben welcomed every guest with a pair of homemade liquors, which he humorously dubbed "tea."

It's the little things like this "tea" that were part of Torben's efforts to bring a sense of hygge, a feeling of comfort and coziness characteristic of Danish Culture, into Bleu Marine.

And if you were amongst the lucky ones to have crossed paths with Torben, you'd understand the impact of his spirit. As Celine, his wife, beautifully puts it, "Torben was more than a loving partner to me. He transformed our restaurant into an inclusive second living room, where nationality, gender, age, or profession didn't matter." She was blessed to share almost two decades of her life with him and his loss has left a void in her heart.

For regulars at Bleu Marine, Torben wasn't just a proprietor, he was like a dear friend with whom they could share their life's triumphs and trials. His presence was comforting, serving homemade liquor, inquiring about your day, and always ready to lend an ear to your life's stories.

Sadly, Torben will no longer be around to share laughs and stories. Yet, even in his absence, Torben's spirit continues to resonate with the many friends he made at the restaurant. On Aug 11, a warm reception was held in his honor where numerous patrons penned down heartfelt messages. These tributes, captured in memorial books, reflect the deep impact Torben had on his customers and friends alike.

In closing, we'd like to share a message left by a customer, which happens to be one of Torben’s signature jokes, retold on Bleu Marine’s 25th anniversary: “What do you call a man who apologizes when he’s wrong? An honest man. What do you call a man who apologizes when he’s not wrong? A wise man. And what do you call a man who apologizes even when he knows he’s right? A husband."

READ: Remembering Isabel Crook, Canadian Expat and Educator, 1915-2023 

Images: Courtesy of Bleu Marine, Celine Shen, Irene Li