Nick (Artist / Teacher) drew Peter’s portrait with the message :
RIP Peter Tun, associate specialist in neurorehabilitation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading
Min Ko commented :
Oh wow! That’s my dad! That’s amazing!
Nick Prolix replied :
So pleased to be able to do something in tribute to the amazing work of folks like your dad none of whom should have lost their lives doing their jobs. Lovely to know he was an artist himself and thank you again for reaching out
During our visit to UK, Peter gave me a memory stick containing the interviews made by Min Ko.
I learnt that U Sett Khaing and Daw Sarah Tin Gyi took Tin Tin Aye (Olga, Ma Tin) and Khin Kyi Nyunt (Cherry, Ma Tu) to India during the Second World War. When U Tin Gyi passed away unexpected in the UK, the two young sisters were not informed immediately to spare shock grief.
The two sisters were very close since they attended classes together. After their return to Burma, they attended a Convent High School. They matriculated in 1949 and attended Rangoon University. They received their MBBS. Ma Cherry joined the Faculty of Medicine as Demonstrator. She transferred to BMRI (Burma Medical Research Institute) to work on Nutrition projects. She received a post graduate diploma from UK.
She married U Tin U on May 5, 1957. They had large extended families since Ma Cherry is the youngest of nine siblings, and U Tin U is the eldest of nine siblings.
At the wedding reception, her nieces joined Ma Cho (U Tin U’s youngest sister) as Flower Girls.
They had three children : Peter, Aye Aye Khin and Ye Myint.
U Tin U & Family
They have five grand children : Min Ko, Ye Lay, Aye Sandar, Thin Thiri Tun and Khin Sandy Tun.
Peter moved to Mezaligone after his marriage to Win Mar and opened a clinic.
Per Win Mar, they were delighted to have Ma Cherry join them in Mezaligone for about a year and look after Min Ko.
After Peter went to UK, Win Mar and her two sons stayed in the Windermere Compound. They later moved to join Peter in UK.
Ma Cherry visited UK for the second time to see her sons and their families.
Ma Cherry and Peter in UK
Peter visited Burma mostly in January to celebrate Ma Cherry’s birthday in January 12 and also his birthday late in the month. Peter posted photos of the 80th and 85th Birthdays with Ma Cherry.
Peter also posted photos of his father’s 90th birthday on August 3, 2019.
U Tin U’s mother in 2003Ma Cherry’s 80th BirthdayMa Cherry’s 85th BirthdayU Tin U’s 90th BirthdayU Tin U’s 90th BirthdayAt Windermere Road
Min Ko and Pru hosted their engagement party in Yangon.
Ye Lay was invited to a talk in Yangon. He gave additional lectures at the Physics Department at Yangon University, and the Electrical Engineering Department at Yangon Technological University.
One Month Memorial
Photo Card
U Tin Htoon prepared a special Photo Card for Peter’s one month memorial.
Win Mar & family will have a special dhamma talk by Birmingham Sayadaw. Min Ko will arrange a Zoom meeting for relatives overseas.
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.
In late October 2019, I visited former classmates, colleagues & students in Singapore.
Ko Zaw Tun (UCC) & Ma Kyu were our main hosts.
Ko Ngwe Soe (Silver, UCC) & Ma Nu hosted us at their second home in Jahore. Silver took us to Melecca. Earlier he took us to Sentosa which was about to bring down the Lion Statue. He also wanted to jolt my memory of the “Myo Putt Ya Htar”.
There were mini gatherings : 69ers, M73 group with their Saya U Tu Myint, ex-UCC and ex-ICST.
There were micro gatherings : Boe & Ma Phyu, Ma Pale & Ko Ye.
Ko Zaw Tun & Ma Kyu offered Soon at their house in addition to regular ones at Singapore Chan Myay Monastery.
Early November
In early November, we continued our trip. KK picked me up at Mingalardon airport and placed me at a hotel. He hosted two gatherings : speakers & coaches.
We flew to Mandalay to attend the 5th Irrawaddy Literary Festival. I was a panelist at two sessions : one on Education and another on Poetry.
During a break, Ko Thein Htut (UCC) took me on a quick trip around Sagaing & Mandalay
Received autographed copy from Htein Win (Dat Pon). He had to wait a long time before he could publish his photos and articles about two Dark Moments in Burma : U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin & 8-8-88.
Mid November to End of December
There were several gatherings back in Yangon in November and December, 2019.
RIT Gatherings
RIT 69er Monthly Breakfast Gathering
Golden Jubilee of 69ers (Main event at Gyogone Campus, Reunion Dinner organized by Ko Aung Min at his old office compound)
Lunch hosted by Ko Tin Win (Min69)
Guest of Class of 72 (M72 Annual Gathering & PZP, additional : Indian Lunch, Chinese Dinner)
Guest at All Mechanical Gathering
Dinner by Ko Nyunt Htay (Met73)
Birthday Lunch by Ko Myint Toe (M71) & Ma Nwe (Met74)
UCC / ICST Gatherings
Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe of UCSY/ICST
Several ex-UCC gatherings (MICT, Sweetie, Soon Kyway by Ko Soe Win & KZ, …)
SPHS Gatherings
Wedding of Eddie Shein’s daughter
Soon for Uzin Saya Beatson
RUBC
RUBC Annual Regatta
Attendees include : U Tin U (Most Senior Past Captain), U Maung Maung Than Tun (Oldest Past Captain, GBNF), Dr. Myo Tint (Past Captain, GBNF), U Sein Htoon (Past Captain), U Myo Myint (Gold), U Tun Mra, U Tin Myint (GBNF), Dr. Thein Hlyne …
MARB
Visited new Building
Thai Tarot Master donated Air Conditioners
Sun Lun
Meditation sessions
Received two books from Junior Win about her grand parents U Khin Maung Latt and Daw Khin Myo Chit
Miscellaneous
49th Anniversary of Saya Dr. Soe Win & Sayama Daw May Saw Lwin
Thar Yay (သာရေး) Zeyar
Nar Yay (နာရေး) Ma Cherry
Other gatherings : Ma Hazel, my friends, my spouse’s friends…
Thanks for the rides : Ko Ohn Khine, Ko Win Maung (Lake), Ko Tin Aung Win (Oscar), Ko Tin Win, Ko Ye Myint, Ko Aung Myin Bo, younger son of Y Patail …
Served as a messenger for the RIT & Engineering Community for 26 years.
Newsletter
Newsletter
RIT Alumni International Newsletter was started in April 1999. Served as Chief Editor. In the early days, many RIT sayas and alumni provided articles, news & photos.
Messenger 2
RIT website
Maurice, HM, KMZ, Benny
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) designed & implemented ex-rit.org website.
I served as Editor and Content Provider of the website.
Several hundred accessed the first RIT website.
The website played an important part for planning and implementing First RIT Grand Reunion & Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (SPZP-2000) held in San Francisco, California, USA in October 2000.
Some traveled from Burma, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Australia & New Zealand to attend SPZP-2000.
SPZP-2000
Membership
Founding member, RIT Alumni International
Founding member, NorCal RITAA
Life member, RITAA
Life member, BAPS
Life member, RUBC
Member, HMEE Project
Former Docent, Computer History Museum
Former member, ACM & SF Bay Area Chapter
Former member, IEEE (CS)
NorCal RITAA
Sharing News
Able to share news — good, sad and bad.
Jara and Byadihave caused a decline in health of sayas and alumni. Marana has claimed the lives of several especially during the pandemic.
Some sayas and alumni are Gone But Not Forgotten. The GBNF list for 69ers has 137 members.
With the event of social media, the number of RIT related pages grew. There are many silent readers and few active contributors.
Fact Checking
Being a messenger is not easy.
When an alumni asked me to relay the demise of U Ne Win Myint (Victor Win, ChE66), I double checked before posting the news. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even then, someone who is near & dear to Jean (Mrs. Victor) claimed that Ko Victor was hospitalized, but had not passed away. The claim confused some alumni before the sad news was confirmed & details of the last journey were published.
Victor (Center)
When Dr. Tin Hlaing, former Principal of Maritime Studies, passed away in Singapore, an alumni posted Condolence message in the Facebook pages to the family of Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63). Saya became a Tone Kyaw.
Dr. Tin Hlaing
There are fact checking websites. They have reports about Urban Myths & Legends.
Concerns
Some sayas & alumni want privacy. They do not want news of their visits or failing health to be relayed. We have to respect their concerns.
There are many posts by sayas, alumni & friends. The posts may be public, restricted or private. We have to be careful before sharing or re-posting them.
Most people do not have the time & energy to read long posts. A post should have an interesting & informative message.
As my mentors said, “The message is usually much more important than the messenger.”
Thanks
The RIT Spirit is alive and well.
Kudos to sayas, alumni, sponsors, donors, volunteers & well wishers.
Updates
I belong to various circles.
I have posted about them in my FB pages and website.
Passed away in UK on April 13, 2020 at the age of 62.
Peter
Early victim of Covid-19 & Lax rules of the Health System
Four years as Associate Dean at Oxford University
Dr. Peter Khin Tun and Ma Win Mar
Daw Win Mar (spouse) recovered after two weeks of treatment at the hospital.
Two sons : Min Ko (Michael) & Ye Aung (William)
At Min Ko’s wedding
Michael presented the case to TV & Newspapers. William prepared the Obituary and also sang at Peter’s service.
From Oxford Sayadaw
Dakagyi Dr Peter Khin Tun,
From now on, it will not be my priority to remember that you lived 62 years, but rather how many thousands of life you have touched and nurtured. People are remembered for what they did for others, not how long they live. Ultimately, it is your exemplary selfless service to the many that will be inscribed in many hearts. Since we came to know each other in London in 1996, you have watched proudly your two boys grow up and achieve some standing of their own. As you always wished, I will take care of them spiritually so they can serve many souls as you have. Have a good rebirth.
With metta,
Oxford Sayadaw
Updates
Peter’s demise prompted changes in the Health System.
Peter did not live long enough to see the daughters of Min Ko.
In Burma, our beloved land, we treasure “Say Mee Toh” ဆေးမီးတို (Quick remedy). In fact, our forebears used easily available fruits, flowers, and leaves as traditional medicine. Some are taken raw, some are prepared according to a recipe.
Doctor turned Patient
I did private practice at Barr Street (Maha Bandoola Pann Chan Lann မဟာဗန္ဓုလပန်းခြံလမ်း). There are several clinics and hospitals nearby. It is close to 35th Street which is frequently by the members of Yoke Shin Law Ka (ရုပ်ရှင်လောက Movie Community).
For a few months, I served as a doctor at the Waziya Pyazat Yone (ဝဇီရာပြဇာတ်ရုံ Theater for live performances). One day, I abruptly fell sick after being caught in the heavy rain. Thankfully, the Theater staff (who were my patients) gave me medicine. For a moment, the patients had treated their doctor. I will always remember and treasure their kind acts.
Advice
Some doctors give medical advice to patients, but find it hard to take care of themselves. With sunglasses on, they will advice their patients to quit drinking and smoking and not to chew betel.
They may drink claiming for example that “a glass of wine is good for the blood circulation”. I did not refuse when iNapa Winery gave me a bottle of Premium Wine for my birthday.
Mother and My In-laws
My mother passed away in August several years ago. She was 87. I still remember her preparing “Kun Ywet Pyoat Yay ကွမ်းရွက်ပြုတ်ရေ” for me.
My father-in-law who learned indigenous medicine from Kadok Sayagyi (ကတုတ်ဆရာကြီး his life saver) and my mother-in-law had a cabinet of Western and Eastern medicine. They also treated me at times.
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
HlaMin 