Ko Yin Kyu (M69, age 67), Mech/Agri RIT 69er passed away today (26th April, 2011) at 8/45 am.
His funeral will be on 28 April, 2011 at Yae Wai.
He worked for Public Works (Construction Corporation) as superintending engineer and retired in 2006.
He died of kidney failure, based on diabetes.
He had been hospitalized since 3rd April at the Shwegonedine Hospital.
With Metta. Aung Min (M69)
Comments
Danny (Tint Lwin, M69) wrote :
Dear Ko Aung Min, So sorry to hear that Ko Yin Kyu has passed away. Did anybody visit him when was hospitalised?
Ivan (Khin Maung Oo, M69) wrote :
Hi dear classmates: It is sad, sad sad, we need contribute our Nar Ye fund for his funeral and for supporting his family. It is the best we can do now. Another suggestion to our dear classmate to evaluate our balancing life. * The longer we stay, the more this kind of sad news will hear, the less of our classmate counting, so value our relationship and childhood friends. * Life is short, don’t stretch your exhaustion brain and still-healthy body working. Enough is enough, take the retirement at or before 65 years old. * You must know exactly to Love YOURSELF, it sounds selfish, but be practical. Don’t lie to yourself , be honest yourself.
Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69) wrote :
My condolences for the family of Ko Yin Kyu’s family. Yes I agree totally with Ivan, to cherish our friends and families in our sunset years. At the same time doing good deeds while we can.
69ers who passed away in 2011
Aung Naing (Bahadhur, Min)
Chit Htun (Min)
Yin Kyu (M)
Updates
As of July 2025, there are 138 members in the 69er GBNF list
Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70) did not forget his roots.
He is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZPs starting with SPZP-2000.
He donated US$50,0000 and established the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas” to provide services for Sayas such as Funeral expenses, Hospital expenses and Medical check up.
The implementation was supported by a committee of sayas (e.g U Tun Shwe) and selected alumni (e.g U Win Khaing).
The balance of the fund was transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
He set up Charitable Alliance of Burmese Americans (CABA). CABA helped rebuild the houses ravaged by Cyclone Nargis.
He also established the Kay Family Foundation (KFF). KFF hosted a Myanmar Education Delegation to visit prestigious Universities and Research Institutions in California. KFF provided a Matching Fund of $30000 for the RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles in 2015. The Main event was held at Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.
U Khin Maung Tun Health Care Fund
U Khin Maung Tun (Right)
U Khin Maung Tun (T78) & family established a Health Care Fund to provide Vision Care for eligible sayas.
The balance of the fund was transferred to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation
Pon Tu of Saya U Moe Aung
The idea of SDYF was discussed before, during and after SPZP-2012. Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) proposed the idea. He is a Patron of SDYF.
U Khin Maung Tun donated K1500 Lakhs (or more) to SDYF and related causes. He served as President and hosted monthly lunch meetings.
SDYF has several objectives. They include helping engineering sayas and students — past, present and future, establishing “Saya Geha”, provide financial assistance for SPZPs, Shwe YaDu Celebrations and sellected Projects (e.g. YTU Library Modernization Project).
SDYF has provided financial support for eligible sayas. It had enhanced the programs that were implemented by the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund” and “U Khin Maung Tun’s family Health Care Fund”.
Eligibility rules and financial support
The rules may change over time (based on resources).
Eligible sayas who are hospitalized are provided K4 lakhs.
Eligible sayas who need to visit medical clinics frequently are considered on a case-by-case basis for financial assistance.
Eligible sayas are provided Annual Medical Checkup. The facilitators (e.g May Nge and group) provide transportation and lunch.
Eligible sayas are provided Vision Checkup and followup treatment (e.g. cataract operation).
Sayas who require medical treatment and long term care are considered on a case-by-case basis for financial assistance. Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65, GBNF) and Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68, GBNF) were voted at the SDYF meetings for annual financial assistance.
Sample Recipient
Saya U Ohn Maung (ChE68) required medical treatment and long term care.
Swel Daw Yeik Foundation (SDYF) decided in a meeting to provide annual financial assistance of K4 Lakhs to Saya.
The facilitators include U Wynn Htain Oo (M72), Saya U Soe Myint (Min83) and U Khin Maung Htwe (who also donated K20,000).
The total K420,000 was given to Sayagadaw Daw Wai Mon Ohn Maung on 16th October, 2018.
U Ohn Maung 1U Ohn Maung 2U Ohn Maung 3
Other Health Care Funds
U Aung Min, Daw Myint Myint …
69er HCF (Maintained by U Aung Min and team) Donors : Daw Myint Myint, Ivan Lee, U Sein Myint …
EE69er HCF (Maintained by U Shwe and team) Donors : U Sein Myint …
Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65 HCF Donors : Steeve Kay …
Visiting Professor, Osaka University, Japan Collaborated with Professor Harada (Chit Mann Nwe)
Daw Khin Saw Mu
Khit San Kabyar
Statuette in “Bagyi Aung Nyar De” (short story)
Siblings : ICS U Tin Tut, U Kyaw Myint, U Myint Thein, Dr. Htin Aung, Daw Khin Mya Mu, Daw Tin Saw Mu
Spouse : ICS U Ba Tint
Children : Daw Khin Saw Tint, U Nay Oke Tint
TEDxTalk
Two Poets and their Legacy on Kabyar
Main Characters from “Bagyi Aung Nyar De” : ICS U Tin Tut (Bagyi Aung), Minthuwun (Maung Chit), Daw Khin Saw Mu (Statuette), ICS U Ba Tint (Merchant / Buyer of Statuette)
All four have passed away
It’s time to debunk the myth about “Bagyi Aung”. Many thought that he was Dr. Htin Aung.
Most have Cataracts removed from one or both eyes. A few had Full or Partial transplant of the Cornea. Some had Retina Tear repaired. Glaucoma and several other factors can cause impaired Vision.
Saya U Ba Toke played soccer and was active in the RU Sports Council. In his 70s and early 80s, Saya took weekly walks from his house to the Shwe Dagon pagoda. Aging gradually restricted Saya’s mobility, hearing and eye sight. Saya passed away on December 2, 2020 (the day following the RU Centennial), but a few days short of his Centennial Birthday.
When Saya U Moe Aung encountered problem with his knee during a trip to Upper Burma to attend Ah Hlu of a Khamee Khamet, he composed a poem on “Stationary & Movement” with philosophical musings about Life, Illness and Death. A surgery relieved Saya from the use of wheel chair, but as a high school goalkeeper he values Mobility, Agility & Strength.
Sayagadaw appreciated Saya U Moe Aung’s “Poem Gift” on her birthday.
Bagyee Myat Myo Myint gave “Pon Tu” of the then Marla Hall Thu as a birthday present for his beloved spouse.
Ko Aung Min (M69) used the term Vitamin F in an invitation to the 69er Annual Dinner and Entertainment.
Saya U Moe Aung wrote :
Actually, before suffering from knee pain, I had cataract removed from my left eye some 30 or so years back (couldn’t recall which year) and then from my right eye after a lapse of about 10 years. But, I was lucky, so to speak, that up till the present, haven’t yet encountered any problem whatsoever except the need to change the power lens for a better viewing focus.
U Aung Min (M69) wrote :
I had right eye cornea transplantation 19 years ago, but unsuccessful . Again cataract removal on left eye It’s OK up to now.
U Shwe Kyaw (BIT Volleyball Selected)Daw Khin Toe Myint
Graduated in 1963 with Mechanical Engineering
He and U Aye (M62) played together in Ramanya Hall volleyball team during 1959-60 season.
Represented BIT and RU in Volleyball (along with U Aye M62)
Joined the Air Force and became a Pilot.
He was Air Force Captain (Officiating Major) when he perished in a plane crash.
Survived by Sayama Daw Khin Toe Myint (Zoology) and two children. Sayama is a dhamma friend. Her son U Thet Win Kyaw played the Drums at SPZP-2000.
U Shwe Zan Aung (SPHS63)
Std VIII B in SPHS
Matriculated from SPHS in 1963
Joined the Army and went to the front several times
His grandfather was afraid of losing another grandson prematurely. He requested SZA to leave the army and promised to provide financial support in exchange for peace of mind. His grandfather supported SZA’s family for a long time.
Finally joined a ship as a radio operator
Perished at sea when the ship sunk
Dr. Shwe Tun Kyaw
He and his spouse took early retirement from their medical practice in UK.
They volunteered as Assistant Teachers in several bi-lingual (Burmese and English) Goenka Center retreats.
He is a classmate of my younger sister. I met him at the house of Audrey Wong (C84), a volunteer for the Northern California Goenka Center.
Matriculated with Distinctions in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
In November 1964, he was admitted as a top Student to RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) along with Zaw Min, Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Cho Aye (GBNF).
Graduated in 1970 with BE (Bachelor of Engineering) with specialization in EC (Electrical Communications).
Moved to California, USA.
MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University
MBA (Master in Business Administration) from Pepperdine University
Steeve 2
Experience
Worked in the Electronics Industry as IC (Integrated Circuit) Designer.
Per request from his younger sister Dr. Kay, he co-founded QTC and served as CEO (Chief Executive Officer). See Souvenir book for the Silver Jubilee of QTC.
QTC was acquired for a sizable sum. Became a Serial Entrepreneur & Philanthropist. Founded Eleok, Teehub & Kay Family Foundation.
Traveled to the Holy Places of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism & Islam to study Comparative Religion.
Visited prominent historic sites. Tried to trace his roots dating back ten or more generations.
Philanthropist
Founded CABA (Charitable Alliance of Burmese Associations). A notable CABA donation was to Disaster Relief Fund help the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. Details can be found in the reports prepared by Benny Tan (M70) who served as a CABA administrator.
Established KFF (Kay Family Foundation) to support a wide range of support. KFF donated to Universities (Stanford, Harvard, UC Irvine …), Research Institutes and Libraries. KFF sponsored the visit of Myanmar Education Delegation to California. KFF provided a Matching Donation of $30000 for the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
He never forgot his roots. He wanted to show his appreciation for his schools, mentors, classmates and schoolmates.
KFF sponsored the publication of the “Centennial of Hwa Kyone School” and its Sequel.
He has donated $200000+ (via CABA and KFF) to RIT-related activities.
In October 2000, he donated $3000 to the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and became the first Golden Sponsor. He also sponsored the subsequent SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwes) at Singapore in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010; at Yangon in December 2004, December 2012 and 2016.
In 2004, he set up the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas” with a pledge of $50000.
Final Years
In 2018, he was diagnosed with a medical problem. His doctors recommended to work from home and avoid long travels.
He requested Benny and me to organize a special Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on his behalf. For details, see my post about that event.
Started writing books to share his expertise and memories.
There are eight parts of speech in the English language.
(1) Noun
A noun is a name of a person, place, thing, or concept.
It may be classified as (a) Proper noun (b) Common noun (c) Collective noun (d) Abstract noun.
(2) Verb
A verb usually describes an action or a process.
It may be classified as (a) Transitive verb (b) Intransitive verb.
(3) Pronoun
A pronoun stands for a noun. Associated with a pronoun is person and number.
When we speak, the first person is the one who speaks. The second person is the one being spoken two. The third person is some other being referenced.
Number may be Singular or Plural. If there is only one person, we say it is singular. If there is more than one, we say it is plural. In English, the term “You” may be singular or plural.
(4) Adjective
It is a Modifier
An Adjective usually modifies a Noun or Pronoun.
(5) Adverb
It is a Modifier
An Adverb usually modifies a Verb.
(6) Conjunction
It is a Connector
A Conjunction (such as And or But) connects two parts of a Sentence
(7) Preposition
It is a Connector
A Preposition adds information such as position (e.g. in, on, upon, under) and time (e.g. before, after).
(8) Expression of Mood
There are words to express Mood (e.g. surprise).
They are called Exclamation or an Interjection.
Techniques
In a Grammar class, we had to learn two techniques :
Synthesis combining the parts of speech
Analysis breaking down into the parts of speech.
Need for Grammar
Many native speakers read and write fluently without caring much for grammar.
Knowledge of grammar is needed in
Formal Languages
Automata Theory
Compilers
Translation
Natural Language Understanding and Processing
Burmese
In middle school, we had to study မြန်မာသဒ္ဒါ based on the text by Saya U Pe Maung Tin.
Parts of Speech
နာမ် — noun
ကြိယာ — verb
နာမ်စား — pronoun
နာမဝိသေသန — adjective
ကြိယာဝိသေသန — adverb
သမ္ဗန္ဒ။ — conjunction
ဝိဘတ် — preposition
အာမေဋိတ် — interjection
Pali
Parts of Speech
Pali has only four parts of speech.
Noun
Pronoun
Verb
Clitics (which are equivalent to conjunctions and interjections).
HlaMin 