It seemed not long ago

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

SF Bay Area Alumni Group

• Standing:
  Saya U Maung Maung (George, ChE66), U Hla Min (EC69), Saya U Thein Aung (James, Met72), Saya Dr. Nyo Win (K H Chen, M65), Saya U Myat Htoo (C68), Benny Tan (Tan Yu Beng, M70)
• Seated :
  U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon, M83), Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF), Saya Dr. Tin Aung (K C Chiu, ChE63), Maurice Chee (U Hla Myint Thein, M75)
• Photographer : U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76)

Founding Members

• Met at Benny’s house several times
• Discussed the formation of “RIT Alumni International” to support the Newsletter and web site
• Decided to hold a Grand Reunion and SPZP in October 2000

• Served as members of the Working Committee and Steering Committee for SPZP-2000

Saya Allen Htay (GBNF)

• Leader of the group
• President of “RIT Alumni International”, which organized the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
• His classic article, “Brother, can you afford US $500?” was partly responsible for five Golden Sponsors, and the generous donations by sayas and alumni.
• Retired three times. His former students U Thein Aung & U Myat Htoo coaxed him to un-retire twice.

• Saya did not recover from a debilitating stroke. Did not live long enough to spend time with his grand children. One grandson had “Allen” as his first name. Another had “Allen” as his middle name.

Saya K C Chiu (Dr. Tin Aung)

• Brother of Saya Dr. Aung Soe (C61)
• Past President of BEA
• After retirement, he relocated to Southern California.
• He wrote : In early ‘80, Dr. Tin Win was working in Houston and came to the Bay Area on business trip. Dr. Tin Win was visiting me at home while Lily and I were discussing BEA matter. I believed they were meant for each other. The rest is history.

Saya Dr. Nyo Win (K H Chen)

• Past President of BAPS
• Core Organizer for SPZP-2000
• Founding member of NorCal RITAA and served as a member BOD (Board of Directors)
• Retired after working in high technology companies in the Silicon Valley & Taiwan

Saya U Maung Maung (George)

• Founding member of NorCal RITAA and served as the inaugural President.
• Organized a fund raiser for the “Staff Training” component of “YTU Library Modernization”.

Saya U Myat Htoo (C68)

• Past President of Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA)
• Past President of Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA)
• Founding member of NorCal RITAA; Served three terms as Chair, BOD of NorCal RITAA
• Co-emcee of SPZP-2000
• Plays the ukelele and piano. A favorite song is theparody of “Lost Neikban”.

U Hla Min (Life Long Learner)

• Completed 26 years as Founder and Chief Editor of “RIT Alumni International Newsletter”
• Editor and Content Provider of RIT Alumni websites
• Chose to re-tire (re-thread) rather than retire (per Steeve’s suggestion)
• Decided to pay back to his alma mater(s): RIT and UCC (per advice of spouse, sayas, colleagues & friends)
• Wrote 40+ postings of “Memories of UCC” in three days during his vacation to Myanmar.
• Owner, Admin and Moderator of hlamin.com web site & several Facebook groups.

• Broadcast 220+ Educational Videos on selected topics. Channel for YouTube is @hmin3664

Benny Tan (Tan Eu Beng)

• Succeeded Dr. Nyo Win as President of BAPS.
• Successful entrepreneur.
• Multiple Golden Sponsor of SPZPs.
• Designed the banner and mementos for SPZP-2000.
• Now spending quality time with six grand children and taking trips & cruises around the world.

Saya U Thein Aung (James)

• Mr. RIT in 1968. His mentor was Commander Maung Maung (Mr. Burma in 1947). A few years back, he handed over the “Sa-Lwe” for Mr. RIT68) to U Wynn Htain Oo (M72).
• Co-emcee of SPZP-2000
• Contributing Editor for BAPS Newsletter
• Associate Editor of the Commemorative Issue of RIT Alumni Newsletter

Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein)

• Succeeded Benny as President of BAPS.
• Wore multiple hats for SPZP-2000. Co-Chair of the Working Committee with Benny; Financial Controller; Published the commemorative issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”; Did name tags; Coordinated the culinary experts for the follow-up lunch gathering.
• Founding member & Past Vice President of NorCal RITAA.
• In August 2016, he organized the Soon Kway gathering at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay for my birthday and to recognize my volunteer work.

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ)

• Belongs to three circles — St. Paul’s High School, RIT and and UCC — like Saya U Soe Paing and me.
• Took the group photo
• Designed and implemented http://www.ex-rit.org website, which contributed to the planning & implementation of SPZP-2000. Many contributed to “Count down to the Reunion” and “Post Reunion” pages. I wrote 64 posts for “Count down to the Reunion” and 36 posts for “Post Reunion”.
• Was then an eligible bachelor; Worked four 10-hour days & had a three day weekend
• His RIT web site was largely responsible for the success of SPZP-2000. Promised to have Version 2.0 of the web (with better features). Could not fulfill his promise.
• Luckily for him, he moved to the challenging and lucrative job at Microsoft, and also became blessed with a wonderful family.

U Kaung Kaung Oo (Gordon Kaung)

• Youngest member of the group
• Founded “Mechanical Solutions” in San Francisco
• He and his spouse Lillian Kaung (EC83) later set up iNapa Winery & hosted RIT-related gatherings. The Winery survived two fires.
• Founding member of NorCal RITAA; Succeeded U Maung Maung as President

• Donated Premium Wine bottles for selected events (e.g. the Annul Dinner and Summer Picnic for NorCal RITAA, 2005 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles).