Second of Nine Siblings

• Saya U Tin U (C) is the oldest of the nine siblings.
  Celebrated his 90th birthday on August 3, 2019.
• Saya U Ba Than is the second of nine siblings.
  Celebrated his 89th birthday on October 2, 2019.
• The younger siblings are
  Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby),
  Daw Myint Thwe (Betty),
  Dr. Myo Tint,
  U Tin Htoon (A60),
  Saya U Myo Min (UCC),
  U Thaung Lwin (EC66)
  Daw Cho Cho Hlaing.
  
• Father, mother, spouse and daughter are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
  
• Spending quality time with Ye Than (son, Winner Inn), Lwin Mar Oo (daughter-in-law), Aung Myo Myint (grand son) and Ei Khine (grand daughter).

Wedding

Brief Bio

• Matriculated from St. John’s Diocesan Boys High School and won Collegiate Scholarship in 1947.
• Gold Medal for placing first among the I.Sc. and all Intermediate students in 1948 and 1949.
• Studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, University of London.
• Upon return to Burma, he joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer.
• As a requirement for promotion, he studied Masters at Imperial College, University of London.
• Upon his return, he became Lecturer.
• Succeeded Saya U Aung Khin as Professor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.
• Taught at RIT until retirement.
• Per request from Saya Dr. Maung Maung Kha (then Interim Dean, Faculty of Engineering), he served as Advisor for the Engineering Library.
• Taught “Strength of Materials” and “Mechanical Drawing” for most years, and “Engineering Mechanics” for a few years.
• Early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project
• Hosted several HMEE meetings at Winner Inn (run by his son, daughter-in-law and grand children).
• Provided precious photos from his albums for display at MES and for inclusion in the HMEE book.
• Arranged with Saya U Thaw Kaung (former Chief Librarian of Rangoon University Central Library) to give access of the Library Archives to Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC) and his team.
  Saya U Soe Paing and team scanned old magazines and documents.
  Saya U Soe Paing also prepared an initial summary of his findings and handed over to Saya U Aung Hla Tun and team.
  
• Celebrated his birthdays by offering soon to the sayadaws at monasteries (e.g. Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung) and inviting his former colleagues and students to the soon kyway.
  
• On October 2, 2008, the former students of Sayagyi U Ba Than (Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering) was honored with a special Birthday and Garawa ceremony.
  It was special because it was a Thursday. Sayagyi was born on Thursday, October 2, 1930.
• Per request from his grand children, he wrote memoirs and shared them with the attendees of birthday gathering.
• Will turn 80 on October 2, 2020.

Cousin Brother

• My saya at RIT
  Gave me rides to RIT in his white Zephyr
  Many thought that he was my uncle
  
• He is my cousin.
  In fact, he is my Double First Cousin.
  Saya’s father is my maternal uncle.
  Saya’s mother is my paternal aunt.
  
• Strict teacher
  Never received hints or clues from him
  Would not even know whether I did well in his subject until I received the official transcript

Dio Classmates from 1941

Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung were his classmates in 2nd Standard at Diocesan Boys High School.

U Ba Than, U Tin U (elder brother), Dr. Kyaw Aung and Bohmu Lynn Thein Maung would meet over a month lunch (usually at Winner Inn). They would take turns to host the event.

Visit by Dr. San Hla Aung

Saya Dr. San Hla Aung, Saya U Tin Htut, Saya Mao Toon Siong and several other sayas would pay respect to Saya U Ba Than during their visits to Myanmar.

Memoirs (excerpt)

Saya wrote his memoirs at the request of his grand son. The booklet was given to the attendees at Saya’s birthday in October 2008. Excerpts of Pages 3 – 5 (which described his school days) are shown below.

Soon Kyways

Ye Than (son) booked “Yar Thet Pan Annual Soon Kwyay” for his father Saya U Ba Than at Yaw Sayadaw Kyaung.

Saya would invite relatives, former colleagues and students to the Soon Kwyay.

Mementos

For the special Soon Kyway in October 2008, Maung Sein Win (Padeegone) wrote a “Garawa” poem.

Saya provided mementos to the attendees.

Attendees

Garawa by former students

Garawa by M69

U Aung Min (M69) organized a mini-PZP for Saya U Ba Than on or around October 2.

Several 69ers would pay respect to Saya.

Garawa by M75

M75 members include Maurice Chee (USA), U Win Khaing, U Than Po, U Ye Lin Oo, Daw Mar Mar Yee (Singapore) and U Ohn Win (Australia).

Medical checkup and treatment in Singapore

SPZPs

Unless there are schedule conflicts, Saya attended all the SPZPs to which he was invited.

He would donate all the Garawa money that he received from the SPZPs.

He enjoys talking to his former colleagues and students.

He would show then albums containing Class Photos.

Paying respect to Sayagyi U Ba Toke

Garawa and SPZP are noble traditions.

Saya U Ba Than would visit Sayagyi U Ba Toke at least once every year to pay his respect. It is a micro-SPZP.