by Hla Min

Update : 6th November 2026

Introduction

• He was my saya at RIT.
• He taught Mechanical Drawing and Strength of Materials.
• — Saya U Tin Myint (M80) wrote about how Saya trained his assistant teachers and also about Saya’s integrity regarding exams.
• — Ko Hla Oo wrote about how Saya emphasized the importance of First Principle.
• He gave me rides to RIT in his white Zephyr. Several thought I was his nephew.
• He is my Double First Cousin. His father is my mom’s elder brother. His mother is my dad’s elder sister.
• He had many photo albums. He would show them to me and former students.
• Several years ago, he has a Stroke. His family members hired nurses & assistants to speed up his recuperation.

• His son Ye Than, daughter-in-law Lwin Mar Oo and grandchildren Aung Myo Myint & Ei Khine provided him with tender, loving care.
• His physical and mental health declined in his 90s.
• He passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.

Family

• Born on Thursday, October 2, 1930.
• He is the second among nine siblings.
• Father : U Chan Sein — passed away in his 60s

• Mother : Daw Cheng Kim — lived to be 94; Set up the Elite Club of 90+

Siblings

• Siblings : U Tin U, U Ba Than, Dr. Daw Win Hlaing / Ruby, Daw Myint Thwe / Betty, Dr. Myo Tint, U Tin Htoon, U Myo Min, U Thaung Lwin, Daw Cho Cho Hlaing
• The first four also joined the Elite Club of 90+. U Tin U (96+), U Ba Than (94+), Dr. Ruby (95+), Daw Betty (91+).
• Dr. Myo Tint (85+) succumbed to Covid.

Wedding

• Spouse : Daw Mya Mya

Son & Grand Children

• Son : U Ye Than (Winner Inn)
• DIL : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
• Grandson : Aung Myo Myint
• Granddaughter : Ei Khine

Education & Work Experience

• Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947. Won Collegiate Scholarship.
• In 1949, received Gold Medal for Highest Marks in I.Sc (Combined).
• Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London University
• Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
• Colombo Plan Scholar to study Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College
• Promoted to Lecturer
• Retired as Professor

Highlights

• Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean of Engineering) requested Saya to help with the Engineering Library.
• Early supporter of HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education). Hosted the inaugural HMEE meeting and donated photos.

• Invited former colleagues & students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw Kyaung.

• Donated almost all of the Garawa money to selected charities.

Garawa

• He paid respect to Sayagyi U Ba Toke at least once a year.

• Pansy Thin provided transportation to Saya U Ba Than, Saya U Tin Htut and me to visit Sayagyi U Ba Toke.

By 69ers

• U Aung Min (M69) & team would organize 69ers to pay respect to Saya around his Birthday.
• Earlier events were at Winner Inn.
• The photo below was taken at Saya’s new house.

By M75

• Maurice Chee, U Win Khaing (GBNF) and several M75 had a reunion.
• They then visited Winner Inn to pay respect to Saya.

78th Birthday in 2008

He distributed his Memoirs.

82nd Birthday in 2012

90th Birthday in 2020

• He received a Photo Album from his younger brother U Tin Htoon (A60).
• The book was prepared with the help of Ko Htaik San / Henry Kao (M81).
• Due to restrictions during Pandemic, USPS failed to deliver the book to Saya.
• Saya U Tin Htut (M60) offered to send the book via DHL.

Double Dana

He donated the Garawa money that he had received from the SPZPs to charities including

• Jivitadana ဇီဝိတဒါန
• Little Sisters for the Poor
• Mary Chapman’s school for Deaf & Dumb

—

I witnessed ten (or so) Charities receiving donation from Saya.

October 2026

• Ko Ye Than and family offered Soon Kyway for the 2nd Anniversary of Saya’s demise.
• In Saya’s memory, K10 Lakhs was donated to Swel Daw Yeik Foundation.