Mr. Salvitore was working as a Chemist in the USA.
Received a book as Christmas present from his supervisor. A chapter was “Dhammapada”. After reading it, Samvega (sense of urgency) crept in.
Quit his job. Left for Burma to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. Became “U Lokanatha”.
Wrote “I became a Buddhist. My supervisor remained a Christian.”
Was from a devout Catholic family. Elder brother was a Priest.
My paternal grand mother offered a monastery for U Lokanatha in Bawdigone (Windermere), Rangoon.
Practiced Dhutanga. Preached & took Dhamma Dhuta missions to India and Ceylon.
Passed away in Maymyo in 1966.
Ashin Ananda
(Latvian monk)
Fled Communist Rule
Rev. Friedrich V. Lustig’s mentor was the Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia and Lithuania. When the Communists invaded their country, they sought refuge in Burma. The government provided them a monastery in the “Ah Le Pyit Sa Yan” of Shwe Dagon Pagoda.
Moke Seit
Known as “Moke Seit Phone Gyi” for his beard. Came for alms to our parent’s house in Windermere Road.
After his mentor’s demise, he became Buddhist Archbishop of Latvia & Lithuania.
Ashin Ananda
Shaved his beard
Ordained as a Theravada monk with the title “Ashin Ananda”
Laureate Poet & Translator. Wrote poems in English. Translated selected Burmese poems into English.
In July 1969, he gave my poem “Men on the Moon” to Mr. Hall (USIS) to be forwarded to Apollo 11 astronauts. Gave a copy to the Guardian newspaper for publication.
Men on the Moon
U Thilawuntha (Mon Sayadaw)
Built pagodas worldwide
Mon Sayada
Dat Paung Zon Aung Min Gaung Sayadaw U Thilawunta (fondly known as “Mon Sayadaw”) built pagodas in Burma/Myanmar, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and several other countries.
In the ’50s, Sayadaw visited the United Nations and U Thant. He built the first Burmese pagoda in the Allegheny mountains near New York.
First pagoda in USA
During his visit to California, Sayadaw would spend time with his devotees such as Russell Wolfe (Santa Cruz) and U Aung Myint (Donald, Milpitas).
Sayadaw U Zeya
Monastery in Las Vegas
Las Vegas has some monasteries including Thai monasteries supported by members of the Royal Family.
Sayadaw resided at a Thai monastery and rose up in the ranks. Gave dhamma talks in Thai, English & Burmese. Several devotees offered him a monastery.
In May 2013, several dhamma friends in the Bay Area rented a van to attend “Htee Tin Pwe” of the pagoda inside U Zeya’s monastery compound.
Donated for two Nagas at the Las Vegas Monastery in memory of our parents and in-laws.
Engineers & Architects
Dr. Lwin Aung (A59)
Dr. Lwin Aung
Entered monk-hood after retirement
Was Professor of Architecture and Pro-Rector of YTU
Volunteered as a Consulting Architect for the construction of dhamma buildings
Due to health, he left monk-hood after several vassa.
U Bo Gyi (A59)
U Bo Gyi
Founded “Architect Incorporated” with U Tin Htoon (A60) & U Aung Kyee Myint (A60)
Later joined PWD along with his partners
Designed Mausoleum for Daw Khin Kyi, and was shunned by the higher authorities.
Hobbies : music (piano) and modeling (sculpture)
He is now GBNF.
U Han Nyo (Met60)
He helped conduct meditation retreats in Southern California and Mexico.
U Myo Tun (A69)
U Myo Tun
Ashin Pannagavesaka
Won prizes for essays under the name “Errol Than Tun”
Made dhamma duta mission to Vietnam
Was Dhamma Librarian for Moulmein Pa Auk Tawya Monastery
Edited Pa Auk Sayadaw’s books
Taught English to Dhammacariya Sayadaws
U Aung Chaw (C69, SPHS63)
U Aung Chaw
Ashin Ukkamsa
Resided in Sagaing
Later moved to the Irrawaddy Delta region
Met him in 2018 when he came to Yangon. Attended some breakfast gatherings by the 69ers. Kyaw Win (SPHS63) offered soon to Sayadaw at Shwe Ba Htamin Saing, and also offered Nawakamma.
U Wara (Win Paing, ChE70, SPHS64)
U Wara
Younger brother of Saya U Soe Paing (EE, UCC)
Entered monkhood after the Final Year ChE exam
Chief Resident Sayadaw, KabaAye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
Was Taik Oke Sayadaw for Sayadaw U Vinaya
He is now GBNF
U Jotika (EE73)
Prolific writer and an outstanding Dhamma Lecturer
Spent vasa at Taung Pu Lu Kaba Aye monastery in Boulder Creek
Revisited US about a decade ago
Frequently visited Singapore and other neighboring countries
Ashin Pannobhasa (M91)
Met him in SF Bay Area with his mentor (Sayadaw from Myanmar).
Born in April 1966 Thursday (2nd Waning day of Kason 1328 BE) in Pyapon, Irrawaddy Division.
After finishing his Mechanical Engineering degree from Yangon (Rangoon) Institute of Technology he received higher ordination as a Bhikkhu or a monk at the age of 24 in the Ordination Hall, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha under the preceptor of Venerable U Vannita, Pyapon Mahasi Sayadaw, Pyapon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha on 27th July 1991.
Chief Resident Monk at a monastery in Seattle, Washington
Matriculated from Yegyaw Methodist. U Thit was a year senior to him.
Some friends call him “Bo Htay” or “Htay Bo Htay”.
His mother told him not to apply for State Scholarship before graduation.
Civil 1958
C58
Graduated in 1958 with Civil Engineering
Classmates : Dr. San Hla Aung, Dr. Win Thein, Khin Mg Win (Sid), Oscar Sharazee
Saya
Joined Civil Engg Dept as Assistant Lecturer
States Scholar
Received State Scholarship to study in the USA
Masters from Harvard. Also attended some courses at MIT (e.g. “SCHEME” / Lexically scoped Lisp). Programmed his calculator using Reverse Polish Notation
Returned to Burma on an ocean liner with U Tin Maung Nyunt, U Soe Paing and U Ko Ko Lay.
RIT
Promoted to Lecturer
President, RIT Photography Association
Supervised C73 Final Year project, where his students — Dennis Mackey & George Peters — used UCC computer.
UN Project
Advisor in Bengladesh
USA
SF Bay Area
SF Bay Area Alumni Group
Leader of SF Bay Area Group, which formed “RIT Alumni International”
SF Bay Area Alumni
Founding member & President of RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Core Organizer of SPZP-2000. His article “Brother, can you afford $500 and more?” saved the organizers from U Nyo Win’s Act.
BAPS
Took me to BAPS picnic. Demonstrated “Burmese Goodbye” by taking an hour to greet alumni on the way back to his car.
To avoid monotony, he took a different route going out and coming back. He did not mind missing an exit; he would simply make a turn at the next one.
Mini-gatherings
He, Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, U Ko Ko Aye, Ko Thein Naing (Patrick) and me would meet monthly to have Coffee / Tea & Dosa တိုရှည် and chat.
Sometimes, Dr. San Lin would come down from Santa Rosa to see Saya U Soe Khaw. Saya Allen & I would join them for lunch gathering, which extended until dinner.
With Dr. San Lin
Interest
He has interest in Comparative Religion & Culture. Saya U Aung’s anecdote mentioned Saya’s visit to a mosque & Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore.
Retire & Un-retire
He retired twice.
Was coaxed by his former students to un-retire twice. Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) requested him to work at the Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley. Later, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) requested him to work as Consultant for CalTrans.
Passed away before his final retirement.
Health
Survived two Strokes.
Succumbed to the Stroke at the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. He accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the Reunion.
Did not live long enough to see his four grandsons. Two have “Allen” in their names.
May he rest in peace.
Donations
In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Sayas’ books to YTU Library. She also offered scholarship to eligible YTU students via NorCal RITAA.
Two Sayas
Brief Bio
Initial version provided at SPZP-2000
Saya Allen Htay and Daw Mu Mu Kin
Born in Mandalay, attended St. Joseph English Convent and St. Peter’s Boys’ School in Mandalay and the Methodist High School in Rangoon.
Graduated B Sc (Engg) in Civil Engineering in 1958 from Rangoon University and joined the Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer in the same year at the invitation of Prof T Ba Hli, then Dean of Engineering.
Awarded the Burmese Government State Scholarship for study in the United States from 1960 to 1963, and the US Government Fulbright Travel Grant.
Received the degree of Master of Engineering from Harvard University in 1963, specializing in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering.
Returned to Burma and joined the newly formed Rangoon Institute of Technology in Gyogon.
Served as Lecturer in Civil Engineering from 1964 to 1975, except from 1966 to 1968 which was spent on advanced study in Hydraulics Engineering in the Netherlands at Delft Technical University under UNESCO assistance program for Burma.
Immigrated to USA in 1975. Currently working at the California Department of Transportation as Project Engineer.
Married to Mu Mu Kin in 1971 and have two surviving children, Myo Lynn and Thuzar Kin. Mu Mu works at TIBCO Software Inc in Palo Alto to supplement the family income.
Work Experience
Soils Engineer: Mueser Rutledge Wentworth and Johnston, New York, NY, 1975-1978.
Washington DC Metro Subway Project. Civil Engineer: International Engineering Company, Inc, San Francisco, CA, 1978-1983.
USAID Bangladesh Fertilizer Warehouses Construction Project.
Senior Staff Engineer: Morrison Knudsen Corporation, San Francisco, CA, 1984-1996.
DOE Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project.
Principal Research Associate: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 1997.
DOE Yucca Mountain High Level Radioactive Materials Repository Project.
Transportation Engineer: California Department of Transportation, Oakland, CA, 1999-.
My dear parents gave me birth and brought me up to be a good son. My teachers taught me everything else I know. My land of birth, Myanmar, through the sweat and hard work of its citizens supported and paid for my engineering education and my studies abroad. To each and everyone I am obligated and I give my thanks. For it is narrated in Al-Hadith that one who does not thank one another in this life even for little favors is unworthy to thank the Lord for the big favor.
Civil 1958 Photo
Submitted by Saya Allen Htay
Dr. San Hla Aung helped to identify classmates
U Khin Maung Win (Sidney Chen) supplied the photo
Class of Civil 58
Sitting: (1) U Pu (2) Dr. Aung Gyi (3) U Min Wun (4) U Ba Hli (5) Mr. Redpath (6) U Ngwe Thein (7) Mr. Eswara (8) Mr. Num Kock
1st Row: (1) Khin Maung (2) Than Aung (3) Htay Aung (4) Khin Maung Lwin (5) Kyaw Tin (6) Win Thein (7) Chit Pe (8) Shwe Tun Maung (9) Win Maung (10) Thein Lwin (11) Tun Yi (12) Than Pe
2nd Row: (1) V. Kumar (2) Kyaw Hoe (3) Allen Htay (4) Ba Hnin Chit (5) Kyaw Mya (6) Kyaw Din (7) Irwin Myaing (8) Chit Aye (9) Maung Maung (10) Nolan Wu (11) Morgan Singar
3rd Row: (1) Patrick George (2) Oscar Shirazee (3) Hla Shwe (4) Aung Par Thein (5) Saw Lwin (6) San Hla Aung (7) Shwe Win (8) Douglas Hoe (9) Sidney Chen
Notes
There was a mini-gathering at SPZP-2000. The attendees include
Mr. Num Kok (Portland, Oregon)
Dr. Aung Gyi (Ottawa, Canada)
U Min Wun (Los Angeles, California)
U Allen Htay (Mountain View, California)
Dr. San Hla Aung (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Mr. Oscar Shirazee (Middle East)
When Sidney Chen’s health was failing, his daughter requested us to let his classmates and friends know that he was eager to regain contact with them. Sadly, he passed away.
Mr. Oscar and U Aye Win Hlaing used to work in Iran many years ago. Mr. Oscar’s spouse is the sister of U Ngwe Zoe (Peter, SPHS57).
Due to schedule conflicts, Saya Dr. San Hla Aung could not attend some SPZPs. He retired at the age of 80. He is now free to attend many SPZPs.
Saya Dr. Win Thein succeeded Saya U Min Wun as Professor and Head of the Department. Except for a warning sign from an early Medical check up, Saya was healthy. He finally passed away in Yangon. His sister has donated Saya’s Garawa money to selected Charities.
Brother, can you afford Five Hundred Dollars?
And many weekends spent away from your family as well? If you can then you probably are a member of the RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe organizing committee.
It all began one day several months ago when we met over lunch at Benny Tan’s home in Hillsborough. Ko Hla Min and Ko Khin Maung Zaw among the lunch party had started the RIT Alumni website and were receiving enthusiastic responses. Hearing that the duo were carrying on the project all by themselves we decided to throw in our moral and financial support to assure its survival, realizing that it was providing a needed service for the RIT alumni to locate and communicate with each other. Every one present, ten of us at that time, took out our checkbooks and wrote out one hundred dollars each, with promises of more as needed. We informally called ourselves the RIT Alumni Bay Area Group. I was asked to be the group leader.
After that fateful event we continue to have regular meetings, hosted in turn at the homes of some among group members: Ko Hla Min, Maurice Chee, Ko Myat Htoo, Ko Thein Aung, and most recently Dr Nyo Win. Did I leave out any one? Ah yes! Ko Myint Swe and San San Swe. All the while the membership continues to grow and our objective keeps on changing from support of the website to some vague dream of a future RIT alumni organization on a global scale and finally settled on a plan for RIT Alumni Grand Reunion at the beginning of the 21st Century. Ko Hla Min broached the idea to include Saya Pu Zaw Pwe as part of the Grand Reunion in keeping with the Myanmar custom of honoring one’s teachers. As our plan jelled we got carried away by our own excitement and started talking about holding the reunion before the end of the Year 2000. After all, ending one millennium successfully augers well for success in the next millennium.
Before we fully realized what we were up to we have found an ideal site, the Embassy Suites Hotel conference hall near the San Francisco International Airport, and found ourselves making a commitment for a definite date, 28 October 2000 and a attendance fee of fifty dollars, a modest amount to encourage maximum number of Alumni to participate. The minimum capacity of the conference hall is 200 seats and we were required to make down payment and sign a rental and service agreement based on 200 seats. Our most optimistic estimate at the time was 100 attendees. If the attendance is low that means the Bay Area Group, as the Organizing Committee was not in force at the time, will have to make up the short fall. Which could amount to as much as five thousand dollars, or five hundred dollar from each group member. We hesitated a moment to reflect on what that means to us individually in terms of diminished spending power. But, in the end our attachment to RIT and the engineering profession, our sincere desire to meet the Sayas and class mates from whom we were separated for long over came us. We will accept the risks.
Thus was born the preparations in full swing for the Grand RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Others must tell the rest of the story – of struggles, compromises, and elations along the way and from participants themselves what it means to be present at the defining moment in the history of RIT Alumni.
Allen Htay, RIT Alumni International – Bay Area Group RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe Organizing Committee
Appreciation of SPZP-2000
Hello All:
Thanks and Congratulations for a well organized and well executed event. I believe we all went to bed early Sunday night irrespective of the change back to Standard Time (from Daylight Savings Time according to the rule “Spring forward, Fall back”) , and no doubt slept soundly and very happy, knowing full well what happened during the past three days is more than what we dared to dream. I for one took the Monday off and forgot lunch because I woke up so late. But what is one missed lunch!
Allen Htay
____
Dear Ko Maung Maung Than (M79):
Thanks for your note of appreciation for the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. Everybody chipped in: the sayas, organizers, committee members, helpers, supporters like you which we were very fortunate to have, the alumni and general guests and well-wishers. We won’t be able to host an event of this magnitude and importance if any of the components were missing.
Success belongs to everyone.
Thanks again for your generous support
Allen Htay
Remembering Saya Allen Htay
From Saya U Thit
Dear Colleagues and students
I am very sad to hear that Allen Htay passed away.
I have known Allen Htay since the early 1950s when we were both students at Methodist High School, Yegyaw, East Yangon. He was one year junior to me.
We were together again in the late 1950s when we were both Assistant Lecturers at B.O.C. Engineering College. During that time he and I together with Saya Num Kock and Saya U Aung Khin went for an excursion to visit Lawpita Hydroelectric Plant construction site near Loikaw, in Kayah State.
While I was living on the R.I.T. campus in the early 1960s he moved to a house just across the street from us.
I will always remember him coming to our house many times in the evenings for a chat with my family.
The last time I saw him was at the 2004 Saya Puzawpwe in Yangon.
He will be sadly missed by many of his friends and students.
May his soul rest in Peace.
Maung Thit (Metallurgy) Melbourne, Australia
From the alumni in Australia
By Ko “Henry” Thet Tun
Our sincere and deepest condolences to Saya U Allen Htay & family for the demise of Saya.
From the RIT Alumni Australia & Myanmar Engineering Association of Australia Inc.
From Saya Dr. Tin Win (M62) and Daw Lily (T72)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
We are very much saddened by the departure of Saya Allen Htay. Please convey our heartfelt condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. His good nature and kind demeanor will always live in our memory and that of those who loved him.
While we will all miss Saya Allen very much, I hope all his loved ones can find some slight comfort in knowing that his suffering has ended.
Very Sincerely, Tin Win and Lily.
From Ko Kyaw Thu (Dennis Mackey)
Dear Ko Hla Min,
Without the RIT Alumnu Updates, I would not have known about the passing of our (me and George Peters) final year thesis supervisor Saya U Allen Htay.
Thank you for your regular as well as supplement updates.
Please convey our deepest condolences to Daw Mu Mu and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of great loss and sadness.
Best regards, Dennis (Kyaw Thu) (C73) and Alice U
Editor’s Notes: Dennis and Alice have relocated to Canada.
From Saya U Soe Paing and Daw Saw Yu Tint
My friend Allen Htay (GBNF)
Some years ago I wrote an article for the ex-RIT.org about my saya friends at RIT which included Allen Htay.
I met Allen Htay when I joined the 1st Year BSc (Engg) class at the Faculty of Engineering at Leikkhone in 1958 .Ko San Hla Aung was our drawing instructor for the main majors (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), and Allen Htay was the instructor for the rest.
In December1958, I went on State Scholarship to Stanford University. When I returned home after completing my studies, I found myself on the same ship S S Warickshire from Liverpool to Yangon with Allen Htay, Ko Tin Maung Nyunt (Agri Eng) and Ko Ko Lay (UCC). There was also another Myanmar Ko Than Pe, a Chartered Accountant, on the ship. Those days it was customary for the Government to send the returning scholars by ship.
We normally had our meals together seated at the Chief engineer’s table. After dinner we would play bridge to spend the time. Ko Ko Lay partnered with Ko Tin Maung Nyunt and Allen Htay and Ko Than Pe took turns as my partner against them. We played almost every night after dinner and all of us became very good friends.
We got back to Yangon in October 1963. Allen Htay rejoined RIT. I was posted to RIT in January 1964 and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt in March 1964 and so we were together again. When I got married and moved into the RIT staff quarters I was at 16F, Allen Htay at 16E and Ko Tin Maung at 16D. We visited each others house very often. We also became friendly with Allen Htay’s brothers and sisters.
I have attached a photo taken during Thingyan 1966 with Allen Htay (2nd from left) and his youngest brother (extreme right).
I left RIT for UCC and the UN, and Allen Htay and Ko Tin Maung Nyunt went to the United States. All of us met gain in the Bay Area in 1985, 2001 and 2010. I saw Allen Htay at the RIT reunions in 2004 (Yangon), 2007 and 2010 (Singapore).
He could not make it to the 2012 reunion in Yangon because of his health. He was a mild mannered soft spoken gentleman and we will all miss him. May he rest in peace.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (Saya’s Spouse)
“Let me count the ways [to love]” by Elizabeth Browning is a poem present by Ma Ma Mu to Saya Allen.
Donations in Saya Allen’s Memory
In memory of Saya, Daw Mu Mu Kin
donated Saya’s books to YTU Library
provided cabinets for Saya’s books
sponsored scholarships for eligible YTU students
Maurice Chee (M75) coordinated the donation of books.
NorCal RITAA and some volunteer alumni from Yangon coordinated the selection of scholarship recipients.
Daw Mu Mu Kin (Saya’s spouse)MeetingDonation 1Donation 2Donation 3Donation 4Donation 5
Updates
Several sayas and alumni mentioned in the post are GBNF. They include Saya H Num Kok, Saya U Min Wun, Saya Allen Htay, Saya Dr. Win Thein, Saya U Thit, U Khin Maung Win, U Ngwe Zoe.
Mother : Daw Oo Yin (daughter of Sir Po Tha & Lady Tha)
Sons : Myo Paing, Soe Paing, Win Paing, Kyaw Paing
Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54)
Medical doctor & researcher (at BMRI)
Early assignment was Malaria Campaign
Champion golfer.
U Soe Paing (SPHS56)
U Soe Paing
In the Matric exam of 1956, he stood 13th in Burma and won a Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1958, he received two Gold medals : one for Highest Total Marks for I.Sc (Combined) & another for Joint Highest Marks in Maths for I.Sc (Combined).
While attending Engineering classes at RU, he received State Scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at Stanford University in the USA.
Received BS and MS in EE (Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University.
Upon his return, he joined the EE Department at RIT as Assistant Lecturer. He helped Sayagyi Dr. Chit Swe with the UCC project.
Transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division.
After reorganization, he also managed the Operations Division.
Received M.Sc. in Computer Science from University of Southampton, UK.
Taught CS courses at UCC. He co-authored Programming Texts, Lecture Guides and Manuals with U Aung Zaw and me.
Worked for UN projects in several countries.
Wrote “Computer Ah Sa UCC Ga” and his experiences as a States Scholar and UN Advisor. They can be read from SCRIB-D
After retirement, Saya spent time playing golf & practicing vipassana meditation.
During his UCC days, he served as a Golf Correspondent. I helped him type about the competition at RGC (Rangoon Golf Club) and BGC (Burma Golf Club) and submit to the English newspapers.
Visited RUCL. Compiled material for HMEE Project & prepared a Draft. Translated Section 1 of the HMEE book and summarized Section 2.
Gave an interview to MASTAA
U Win Paing (SPHS64)
U Wara 1U Wara 2U Wara 3
Won Golf Championships with his younger brother U Kyaw Paing.
After finishing the finals for ChE (Chemical Engineering) exam in 1970, he became a monk.
Served as Taik Oke for about four decades before becoming Chief Resident Monk of Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaung Sayadaw.
Known as Sayadaw U Wara.
He is now GBNF.
U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67)
Represented Burma in the Putra Cup.
Lawyer and entrepreneur.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
For number of years, I was the carrier-cum-postman to bring Saya U Soe Paing’s typed golf news to the WPD, Working Peoples’ Daily at Theingbyu Street! Just one of the chores I had in those days.
I remember jokingly asked Sayadaw U Wara how he felt seeing the (18th??) hole over the fence from the Sunlun Kyaung’s “Thein”. The new golf course was built for VIPs inside Kabaaye, and that particular hole was seen from the “Thein” less than 40-50 yards, of course over the fence.
Updates
Nyi Lynn Seck created a family tree for Sir Po Tha
8th month of the old Roman calendar. Oct means Eight.
10th month of the Gregorian calendar.
It has 31 days.
October 1
Dr. Aung Gyi
Dr. Aung Gyi’s birthday
U Myo Myint Sein
U Myo Myint Sein’s birthday
October 2
U Ba Than
U Ba Than’s birthday. Says offered soon dana for his birthday on or around October 2 at Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung. Sayas, former students and friends were invited to the soon kway. 69ers usually offered Garawa at Sayagyi’s place on or around his birthday.
Mini-gathering put on hold due to pandemic in 2020 & 2021. Zoom meetings were held on sayas’s birthday.
In 2020, Saya received 90th Birthday Present. Photo Album Book was compiled by U Tin Htoon and U Htaik San (Henry Kao). DHL Delivery was paid by Saya U Tin Htut
In 2021, Saya received a Photo Card present by U Tin Htoon
October 5
International Teachers’ Day
Celebrated annually since October 5, 1994
Some countries have local Teachers’ Day
Halloween
October 31 (i.e. the day before “All Saint’s Day” which falls on November 1).
Celebrated with “Trick or Treat” by the children and optional “Halloween Costume Party” by young and old adults.
End of Buddhist Lent
Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut usually falls in October.
Phaung daw-u festival (in Inle Lake) is held on the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut.
Deepavali / Diwali
Celebrated by the Hindus around October.
Known as the “Festival of Lights”.
October Revolution
Due to differences in Julian & Gregorian calendars, the Bolshevik Revolution is wrongly referred to as the “October Revolution”.
Festivals
Ocktoberfest is a festival held in October.
The Annual Pumpkin Festival with the bragging rights to the “heaviest” Pumpkin is held along Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The traffic is really bad in the area for most of October. The 7-mile strip takes an hour or more during the Festival period.
October 2000
The First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) was held in October 2000.
I wrote 64 “Countdown to the Reunion” and 36 “Post Reunion” (news & articles) for SPZP-2000 in my Newsletter and the ex-rit.org website.
I wrote a poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE”. It was published in the Commemorative Issue of “RIT Alumni Newsletter”.
Newsletter
October 2021
In October 2021, Covid-19 vaccines were offered. Many had at least one dose. Some had two or three doses (including Booster). However, there were mutations & variations of Covid spreading around the globe.
Phaungdaw-u
Working People’s Daily (WPD) used to publish Supplements.
I wrote “Phaungdaw-u Festival” poem for the Thadinkyut Supplement.
Phaung Daw-u Festival (Poem by Hla Min)
Phaung Daw-u, oh Burma’s grandeur Can truly make our hearts sublime Its mystic charm and rhyme-less splendor Have firmly stood the test of time
It lies deep in the heart of people It gives them courage and inspiration No wonder this festival has no equal It promises joy and veneration
On board the r so scintillating Stood the four images of Lord Buddha For the Noble Truth are we vindicating? What lies deep under the completed tour?
But one statue was left behind Because in writings we do find That should it ever leave the shrine There will be thunder and storm Thus a happy reunion on the morn of the full moon of Thadinkyut
From floating islands the leg rowers came To take part in the race With their muscular frame, with might and main Their oars flashing at a rapid pace
Festivities last all night long Dances to the company of ozi and gong Oh, prayers that fill the cool evening air May loving kindness prevail everywhere
We were in the same section in I.Sc (A) because Roll Numbers were based on Last Name. His Roll No. was B115. Mine was B116. B stands for Science Option. We did not choose the Bio Option (with the A prefix).
Chair, 69er Heath Care Fund
Super Organizer of 69er Activities
Called “Sein” Aung Min, “Platinum” Aung Min & “Rare Earth” Aung Min because he is extremely precious.
Aung Min (EC66)
Aung Min (EC66)
He had a micro-reunion in Singapore with his former classmate U Thaung Lwin.
Aung Min (Pet73)
Passed away in April 2019
Had medical treatment in Thailand & in an ICU in Yangon. Was told 60% chance of recovery.
Aung Min (Pet)
Aung Min (Phy)
Saya of our I.Sc(A) class in 1963
Aung Min (Thakin)
Went underground with his spouse
Returned & practiced indigenous medicine.
Spouse stayed behind.
Sein Aung Min
Zat Min Tha ဇာတ်မင်းသား
Saying
အောင် မင်း လွန် ရာ ကျ မယ်
Aung Min Gaung
Street အောင်မင်းခေါင်လမ်း
Pagoda in Windermere ဓာတ်ပေါင်းစုံအောင်မင်းခေါင်စေတီ
Dennis Mackey (Kyaw Thu, C73) and George Peters (C73) did their final year project at UCC. Their supervisor was Saya Allen Htay (C58, GBNF).
George moved to Perth, Australia. I met him at the RIT Reunion Dinner in Sydney, Australia in 2006.
Dennis moved to Auckland, New Zealand. He reported about the alumni activities in NZ along with Saya Dr. Koung Nyunt (A67, GBNF) and Stanley Saw (Myo Lwin, M71).
After retirement, Dennis moved to Canada.
In late 2018, Dennis paid respect to Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi.
EC73
U San Lin (Robert, EC73) and Daw Hla Myint (Marina, EC73)
Robert’s father (Chan Boon Pin) graduated with Mechanical and Engineering Combined Degree from the Faculty of Engineering in 1948 – 49.
Robert studied M.Sc. (Computer Science) at UCC.
He worked in Singapore and the US.
After retirement, he moved to Dallas, Texas to be near his son and grand children.
San Lin
U Htun Aung Kyaw (HAK, EC73)
Htun Aung Kyaw (HAK) and Tun Aung Gyaw (TAG) are variant spellings of the same Burmese name.
Excellent golfer.
Worked for Schlumberger before moving to Sydney, Australia.
M73
Dr. Myint Thein (M73)
Doctorate from Georgia Institute of Technology (aka Georgia Tech) in Atlanta.
Pen name : Ba Thein (Atlanta)
Wrote several articles for RIT Alumni International Newsletter.
Dr. L Sein Myint (M73)
Younger brother of L Than Myint (M63, RUBC Gold)
Doctorate from the UK
Spends time in the US, Myanmar & Australia.
Helped organize the first Alumni Reunion in the East Coast of the US.
U Khin Maung Aye (MEHS67, M73)
Took Applications Option for his M.Sc. (Computer Science).
GBNF.
U Myo Myint (M)
He is from the Class of 73. He took sabbatical and graduated in 1974. He retired as Deputy Chief Engineer of Burma Railways.
He has connections with the Class of 72. His spouse is a cousin of U Myo Myint Pe (ChE72). He shared a dinner table with Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72).
He designed and drew covers for RIT Annual Magazines and the commemorative issues of Swel Daw Yeik Magazines.
He drew Pon Tus of sayas and sayamas, and gave most of them as presents at the SPZPs or RIT gatherings. He sent via Lu Kyone some Pon Tus for the overseas sayas.
He also drew Oil Paintings and sold (or auctioned) them and gave the proceeds to the SPZP funds.
Sample paintings are shown here.
U Hla Win (M)
Veda sayas
He is from the Class of 73. He took sabbatical and graduated in 1975.
Served as Master of Ceremonies for All Mechanical Gathering; Gatherings for the Class of 73, 74 and 75
Core organizer for SPZP-2004, SPZP-2012 and SPZP-2016.
Than Win — Captain of University First Eleven; Director of Sports and Physical Education Department Spouse : Professor Daw Pansy
Than Win (SPHS63, M69) — Myaungmya
Than Win (Henry Wong, SPHS63)
Than Win (PBRS, T70) — Thamankyar novel; Spouse : Zelma
Thane
Thane Myint (PBRS, DSA) — Served in the Air Force, and in the Myanmar Delegation to the UN; Manager of he Myanmar Olympic Team for Seoul Olympics; Parents : Kyaw Zaw, Khin Khin Aye
Thane Oke Kyaw Myint, Dr. (SPHS60, IM1 67, Pediatrician) =- See Posts
Thant
Thant — UN Secretary General
Thant Thaw Kaung, Dr.
Thant Sin, Dr.
Thant Zin — See Post
Thant Zin Ohn
Thaung
Thaung — Boxing
Thaung — Secretary; Brother: Thant
Thaung — Aung Bala, Kyemon
Thaung Aye
Thaung Dan, Bogyoke — BAF
Thaung Han — Artist
Thaung Han (Physics) — RUBC
Thaung Htut — Minister
Thaung Kyaw Nyein — Father: Kyaw Nyein
Thaung Lwin (EC66) — Past Captain and Gold of RUBC
Thein Aung (James K Wu, “Myo Daw”, Met 72) — Mr. RIT in 1968; Founding member of RIT Alumni International; Organizer & Associate Editor of “RIT Alumni Newsletter” for SPZP-2000
Thein Aung (M72)
Thein Han, Dr. (Alexander Sia, IM1 79er)
Thein Han — Zawgy; Co-founded Khit San Sar Pay; Chief Librarian of RU Central Library
Thein Han — Systems Engineer at IBM in Rangoon before moving to the USA
A1 Thein Htut (PBRS) — Actor; Director
Thein Htut, Dr. — RUBC Gold; Parents : Colonel Min Sein, Daw Yin May; Spouse : Wendy
Thein Htut (Physics, RASU)
Thein Htut (EC83) worked for UCC before moving to private industry.
Thein Htut, Dr (Clement) — Saya; Dental
Thein Lwin (Stanley Shwe Gyi, SPHS63)
Thein Lwin (EE, GBNF) — President of RIT Badminton
Thein Lwin (M70, Hluttaw)
Thein Maung, Dr, (EENT)
Thein Maung (M69)
Sai Thein Maung, Sai (C70) — Soccer, Track and Field
Thein Maung (Htin Lin) — Writer; Children: Soe Myint, Soe Win, Kyaw Zaw, Khin Zaw
Thein Oo — Commerce; UCC, MCI, Ace
Thein Oo Po Saw (Ernest Po Saw) — Nuclear Physics, DSA
Thein Tan (C64) — Rector of MTU
Thein Tan, Twante — Vocalist
Thein Tan, Myanmar Pyay — Musician
Thein Tan (UCC)
Thein Tan (Maung Maung Gyi, UCC, GBNF)
Thein Tun, Dr. (SPHS61, EP67) — Doctorate from Australia
Thein Tun, Dr. (IM1)
Thein Tun, Bohmu Dr. (GBNF)
TheinPe — Character in Zawana’s novel Kaw Lwik Jin / Ja Bo
Thein Pe (Thein Pe Myint)– Author and politician
Thein Sein — Former President of Myanmar
Thein Wa, Daw — Owned a bookstore
Thein Wai, Dr. (SPHS63, IM2) stood fifth in Matriculation in 1963; Moved to
Thet
Thet — Vipassana Teacher, Mentor of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Naing Win (M70, GBNF) — Spouse: Polly Ba San (Swimming)
Nan
Nan — Prefix of name
Nanda
Nanda Kyaw Swar : Swimming
Nandamalabhivansa : Former Rector, ITMBU
U Nandamalabhivansa
Nanda Thein Zan : Professor, Author
Nan Su Su : T69, GBNF
Nan Su Su
Nan Nyunt Swe — Writer
Nan Wai — Artist; Brother: U Tin Swe (EE53)
Nant — Prefix of name
Nay
Nay — See Post
Nay Aung — Actor
Nay Myo Aung — ICST
Nay Myo Aung — PSA
Nay Myo San — Hinthada; Father : U Aung San
Nay Win
Nay Win, Collegian — Born in Hinthada.; Joined Navy; After matriculation, he joined Rangoon University; RU and Burma Selected football player; Aliases; Pa Pu, Nay Dun; His coach Saya Nyein recommended him to the producers of “Kaw Leik Gin” (Collegian).; Liked “Say Leik Toh” (Tin Moe’s poem) and wanted it as his epitaph; Spouse : Daw Khin Mar Lar
Collegian Nay Win
Nay Win, Dr. (Hardy Meah) — Medical Superintendent, Psychiatric Hospital; Spouse : Dr. Daw Khin Si
Dr. Nay Win
Nay Win, Tekkatho — Bo Tun Hla; Personal Staff Officer of Bogyoke Aung San; Actor; Lecturer; Writer
Nay Win (M69, GBNF) — PPBRS; MEHS; Taught Marine Technology at a polytechnic in Singapore
Nay Win, British Burma — Studied Cinematography in the USA; Spouse : Ni Ni (Kathleen)
Ne Win
Ne Win, Bogyoke — Shu Maung; During his reign, any article containing “Sun” was censored; Taboo to reference Dhammata (by Ananda Thuriya); Using “Ta” instead of “Tit” caused ten pyas fine each time
Ne Win Myint (Victor Win, ChE66, GBNF) — BADA; Spouse : Jean Gale
Ne Win Myint — Speaker
Ne Win Myint — Golf
Nge
Nge (SPHS) — Saya
Nge (GBNF) — U Win Maung
Nge — U Aung; Alphonso
Nge Ma Ma Than, Daw (GBNF) — UCC; ICST; Spouse: U Myint Swe; Father: U Aung Than
Nge Nge
Ngwe
Ngwe Moung — BBS
Ngwe Myint
Ngwe Pale — Silvery Pearl; Dairy Farm owned by Tin Win (T70) and Khin Than Win (T70)
Ngwe Sein
Ngwe Soe (Walter, M69) — UTC, Guitarist
Ngwe Soe — UBA/BAC pilot; Parents: U Ne Win and Daw Tin Tin
Ngwe Soe (Silver, UCC) — Moved to Singapore; Spouse : Daw Nu Nu Yee
Ngwe Thein (Geology) — Saya
Ngwe Tin, Daw (UCC)
Ngwe Tun (Civil, GBNF) — Saya; Owned a book shop
Saya U Ngwe Tun (C)
Ngwe Tun (SPHS63, C69) –Hosts 69er Monthly Gathering for his birthday
Ngwe Zoe (Peter, St. Patrick, SPHS57, Medical Technologist, GBNF) — First batch Para-Medical Studies
Ni
Ni — Koyingyi at Popa Taung Kalutt
Ni Ni, Daw
Ni Ni Sein, Daw
Ni Ni Thaw, Daw
Ni Ni Zaw Win — Ni Ni Nay Win
Ni Ni Win Shwe, Daw — Vocalist
Nita Pe (Saya) — Brother: Peter Pe (RIT Swimming, GBNF)
Nyi Nyi, Dr. (Geology) — Former Minister; Retired from the UN.
Nyi Nyi — DSP; Children : U Khin Maung Htun, U Khin Maung Lay, U Khin Maung Aye …
Nyi Nyi — EE Saya
Nyi Nyi — BBS; Brother : U Myint Soe ; Shamrock Boys” for the Local Talent Show
Nyi Nyi Sein
Nyi Nyi Than
Nyi Pu — First Burmese movie actor; Maha Weikazhto; Brother : A1 U Tin Nwe, U Tin Pe (Maung Maung Soe), A1 U Tin Maung
Nyo
Nyo — Philanthropist; Donated several buildings (RU Students Union, RUBC Club House) for Rangoon University Estate; U Nyo Challenge Cup for Inter-Club Coxed Eights (RUBC)
Nyo Kyi — Former seafarer
Nyo Mya, Oway — Journalist; His article “Hell Hound at large” was partly responsible for the expulsion of Bogyoke Aung San from Rangoon University in 1938.
Nyo Nyo, Daw
Nyo Nyo Sein, Dr. (IM1 79er) — Spouse : Dr. Shwe Zin Tun (IM1 79er)
Nyo Nyo Win, Daw (T73)
Nyo Win, Dr. (M65) — Saya; Founding member of RIT Alumni International; Organizer for SPZP-2000; Worked for Tech companies in USA and Taiwan
Nyunt Maung — Deputy Minister; National Planning and Finance
Nyunt Maung San (C70) — Organizer for the Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65)
Nyunt May, Daw
Nyunt Nyunt, Daw
Nyunt Nyunt Tin, Daw(UCC, UN)
Nyunt Nyunt Wai, Daw (Millie Hoe, T69) –Germany; Major donor to the 69er Health Care Fund
Nyunt Nyunt Win, Daw (Physics) — Sayama; Registrar of RASU; Spouse : G Ko Lay (WPD, RUBC Gold)
Nyunt Nyunt Zaw : T68
Nyunt Ohn
Nyunt Oo
Nyunt Pe
Nyunt Sein
Nyunt Shein
Nyunt Shwe : PPBRS
Nyunt Shwe : သံတခါး
Nyunt Soe : Swimming Coach
Nyunt Swe
Nyunt Than (M86) — Past President of BADA; Founding Member and VP of NorCal RITAA
Nyunt Thaung : NorCal RITAA
Nyunt Thein : Doctor
Nyunt Thwin : Doctor
Nyunt Tin, Dr. (SPHS52) — First in Burma in the Matriculation of 1952; Elder son of Sithu U Tin (RUBC President)
Nyunt Tin (M70) — Played Table Tennis for RIT
Nyunt Tin — SPHS64
Nyunt Tin — Wrote Chemistry book in Burmese
Nyunt Wai, Dr. (Victor, SPHS63) — Fourth in Matric of 1963; Retired Professor of Physiology; Taught at IM and Malaysia; Hobbies include painting, poetry and writing articles
Dr. Nyunt Wai (Center)
Nyunt We — MPA; Executive Committee member of NLD; Daughter : Thiri Nyunt We
Nyunt Win, Dr. (Eddie Tha Win) — Passed away in Australia; Father: U Tha Win; Spouse : Dr. Marie Yu Khin
Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie)
Nyunt Win — Actor; Father : Shwe Mann Tin Maung
Nyunt Win (Chemistry) — Saya; Brother: Dr. Ohn Kyaw
HlaMin 