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.
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.
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
There have been several complaints to NHS particularly about the shortage of PPE and the accountability over the guidelines.
NHS Secretary Matt Hancock says he feels ‘deep sense of duty’ to those infected while at work. He announced 60,000 Pounds payout to families of health staff who die of coronavirus.
Min Ko’s response :
There needs to be accountability over the guidelines. I would rather have my Dad than money, absolutely, 100%
Britain holds minute’s silence in tribute to coronavirus dead
Politicians and public across UK remember key workers who have died during pandemic
Good News about Win Mar
Peter, Win Mar & Min Ko
Min Ko (Michael Tun) wrote :
Just spoke to May May. It looks like they will be able to send her home tomorrow. Also there was a 1 minute silence for NHS workers who lost their lives and doctors and nurses came into May May’s room to pay tribute and do the 1 minute silence with her.
Dr. Ye Myint wrote :
We spoke to Ma Win Mar few minutes ago. She is well. Her voice is stronger and can eat reasonably well. No fever for the last few days. Not required for O2 today. There was one minute silence for National heroes who paid their lives working in hospitals ( NHS). Many doctors and nurses ( including Ko Ko’s ward nurses), came to her room and many people had to stand outside her room along the corridors for 1 minute silence to honour Ko Ko ( Peter). Ma Win Mar will go home about 10 am tomorrow morning.
Updates
Min Ko is now a proud father of two daughters.
Win Mar, family and friends helped rebuild houses for the earthquake victims in Myanmar.
I picked her up this morning. She’s home now. She’s missing PePe but in good spirit all things considered. The hospital gave us a wheelchair to keep for a while in case she needs it. She’s eating as well which is good. Aunty Theingi ordered some delicious food for May May. I’m dealing with pensions and other major admin at the moment. Ye Lay is home and I will go back later this afternoon also.
Mezaligone Days
Peter spent eleven years at Mezaligone.
He opened a clinic and treated the villagers often free of charge.
He even paid a few to have surgery at a hospital.
He shared the water from his 180-ft deep well with his neighbors.
He invited them once a month to have Mohinga or some other treat.
He had to order tablets to purify the drinking water. Still he head to treat patients for dysentery and diarrhea.
Miscellaneous
We hear about : Quarantine, Lock down, Shelter / Stay at home, Circuit breaker, Social distancing, Cancelled events and flights, …
During the Pandemic, several health workers lost their lives in the line of duty. Not so young people with underlying medical conditions passed away with or without COVID-19 infections.
U Kyaw Sein (former saya at RIT Mechanical Department) passed away in Singapore.
Daw Molly Khoo (former sayama at St. Philomena’s convent, co-founder of TBSA) passed away in California.
Brenda Gyi (retiree from UN) passed away in New York.
Dr. Myint Win (65 Matriculate) and Dr. Soe Aung (SPHS67) passed away in UK.
Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana likened the pandemic as the 21st Century World War against an invisible enemy.
Memories by Ye Lay (Live)
“Pe Pe Ko Chit Tae“. [ I love Dad]
Ye Lay thanked his father Peter for the wonderful things that he had learned. In particular, the chanting “I take refuge in the Triple Gems”. He recited to Peter at the hospital.
He sang an old Scottish ballad “Loch Lomond“. He remembered Peter taking Chan Myei Sayadaw to Loch Lomond.
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond Where we two have passed so many blithesome days On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
[Refrain] O ye’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye But me and my true love will never meet again On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
I mind where we parted on yon shady glen On the steep, steep side o’ Ben Lomond Where in purple hue, the Heiland hills we view And the moon shinin’ out from the gloamin’
Ye Lay studied at St Andrew’s in Scotland for his second Masters. His parents attended his graduation.
He ended by reciting
“Buddham saranam gaccha mi. [I take refuge in the Buddha]. Dhammam saranan gaccha mi. [I take refuge in the Dhamma]. Sangham saranam gaccha mi. [I take refuge in the Sangha].
Memories by Dr. Ye Myint (Recording)
Dr. Ye Myint & Dr. Peter Tun
Firstly I would like to thank you all for being here.
Thanks to all those who shared their good memories of my beloved brother. The family appreciates your kind thoughts and prayers.
It is a great honour to be able to share my memories, and talk about my big brother Peter, who will forever remain in our hearts.
My kindhearted brother spent his life caring not only for patients, but relatives, friends and acquaintances. He gave up his life in the line of duty. He will be missed by all.
Peter, my sister and I were very privileged to grow up together in one large family estate. We were very close sharing the same room and being together daily.
He set a high bar for us intellectually and socially. Due to his high intellect, he got double promotion twice and skipped 2 years.
He matriculated with four distinctions. He stood 23rd in the whole of Burma and was awarded a University Scholarship. He was admitted to the Rangoon University of Medicine, which I also attended. He supported me to become a good compassionate doctor like himself.
He stayed fit by taking part in many sports : football, badminton, cycling and rowing. He was the university selected athlete for Shot put and Discus throwing.
He started cooking as a teenager and learnt many recipes from our mother and continued this lifelong hobby. He was a very good artist and created large paintings as well as water coloured Christmas cards. He was also a very keen gardener and read various books. He had great general knowledge and many called him a walking encyclopaedia.
After he qualified as a doctor, he worked as a UNICEF research officer for mother and child health in Hlegu where he met his future wife Ma Win Mar. After they fell in love he decided to move to Mezligone. I accompanied him on this trip there and helped to set up a new medical clinic. He worked there daily for 11 years where he was relied upon by his patients even out of hours.
I sponsored him to move to UK in 1994 to help progress his medical career. He lived with us until he got his first job in Burton-on-Trent. He got his second job in Pontefract and arranged for his family to relocate to the UK to join him. We were lucky to live only 20 minutes drive away so had nice weekly reunions which made our families even closer.
He then moved to London for rehabilitation medicine training after he passed his MRCP examinations and then moved to Reading 21 years ago working as an associate specialist. Peter has helped many Doctors coming to the UK for further studies where he gave valuable advice and treated them to his home cooking. He always enjoyed entertaining and cooking for family and friends.
We had regular family reunions and memorable family holidays together in Devon, Italy, Burma and most recently in New Zealand. We will cherish these lovely memories together. He had such a great sense of humour and always made those around him happy with his personality and big smiles. He was remarkable in many different ways. He lived an enjoyable successful life and treated all family members, relatives and friends with loving kindness. He touched so many people as evident by the countless tributes, messages, cards and donations.
I am sure you are in a much better place, Ko Ko, after doing so many good deeds throughout your life. We will miss you greatly and always remember you with love. Thank you so much for being a loving big brother, a great Uncle to Aye Sanda, a best friend, mentor and teacher.
Lighting six candles followed by Reflection
Six candles were lit : One for Peter Three for attendees of the service near and far One for Doctors and Nurses One for people around the world
All stood up for a moment of Reflection.
Reflection following the Candle Lighting
Memories of Min Ko
Min Ko shared Dr. Peter’s wonderful, precious life in Meizaligone, a village in Henzada District, Irrawaddy Division.
Since the clinic was at the house, the family members were woken up early by villagers lining up to get water from the tube well.
Peter’s clinic opened from 6AM to late at night seven days a week.
Peter treated sick villagers with CETANA, some free of charge, and some were given cash assistance to go to Hospital in Big Towns.
Once a month Peter invited neighbors to have meals in the house. Peter had an old car and learned how to do repairs.
Min Ko then read a letter written to his father and had to pause occasionally to wipe the tears. He promised to take care of the family.
Song before closing the curtain
“What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong
Message by relatives
Dr. Myo Tint (uncle) wrote :
Dear Win Mar, Min Ko and Ye Lay, The Funeral Service. was very touching. The speeches bring out what a wonderful, philanthropic, generous, well learned gentleman Peter was. May he Rest In Peace.
Associate Dean at Oxford University for four years.
Due to the lax rules and denial of his request for PPE at his Department, he became an early casualty of Covid-19.
Passed away on April 13, 2020. The day marked the beginning of Thingyan (Water Throwing Festival). In 2020, the day was “Easter Monday”.
He is Gone But Not Forgotten (GBNF).
I chronicled the period from early April to late May 2020. It covers news, photos, articles (from the UK Newspapers) and memories (by his family members, relatives, friends and colleagues).
Award by Nuerology Academy
Peter Tun AwardAward 2
Condolences
From Dr. Johnny Kyaw Myint (SPHS60, Australia)
Very proud of Peter that will be honored like this.
From Dr Wilbert Ho (SPHS60, UK)
Hi Dexter, thanks for sharing the news about the Peter Tun Neurology Award.
I am very proud on behalf of his family and as a friend and fellow Myanmar. Best wishes, Wilbert.
From U Thaung Lwin (Dexter, Peter’s uncle)
Both Johnny and Wilbert are my class mates in St Paul’s since 5th standard.
From Hussein Ariff
Dexter thank you very much for sharing.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace.
Amen.
Memories
He is the eldest of three siblings.
His grandfather, father & Peter are the “First son”
Peter 1Peter 2
Peter served Mezaligone & nearby villages as the Lone Doctor.
Peter, Win Mar and elder son (Min Ko)
Peter made annual visits to his parents. He and his mom are January born. They perform Birthday Dana together.
Peter invited us to Min Ko’s Engagement Party at Winner Inn and follow-up at their parents’ home
Peter 3
U Tin Htoon sent a Photo Card. He later compiled a Photo Album for Peter.
Photo Card for Peter
Updates
Peter’s name was read in the song by “London Symphony”
Peter was nominated for a Posthumous FRCP
Min Ko (Peter’s elder son) was “First son (for the 4th Generation)” in his family. He has two daughters. Not sure if another “First son (for the 5th Generation)” will appear.
My children were very young on their first visit to the family and they came home full of praise for their Peter Ko who was their super hero. Just one more aspect of Peter’s talents in association with people of all walks of life.
I met Peter very much later as I was banned for 28 years to return to Burma. When I met him in London I told him how important it is to wear comfortable shoes and bought him his first pair of shoes from Clark’s,which he told me lasted 3 years.
In the following years we visited Peter and family often.
On many occasions we met at family gatherings in Yangon, the last to celebrate his father’s 90th birthday in August 2019. Not only on this his last visit but in all the previous years Peter’s devotion to his mother was unconditional. It impressed me enormously that he would prepare breakfast for his mother at 6 in the morning … and it was a cooked breakfast! He took great pleasure in watching his mother eat with appetite and gaining strength. That was Peter,who loved his mother beyond words.
Peter was good at organising too. We shared a memorable visit to the London Chelsea Flower show in 2018 at the invitation of Kim and Dave. At my request Peter organised and dealt with all the formalities which was required. He hit a jack pot as he managed to get free entrance for Kim and Dave as attendants to two wheelchair users, because I needed one and he decided also that he needed one too. He used actually to wheel around his backpack etc. So, we paid only for two for four!
On that trip, WinMar and Peter drove me to my friend In Nayland. I invited them to stay at an Inn,which Peter thoroughly enjoyed,breakfasting in the garden reading a newspaper, etc.
On bidding farewell to us, WinMar and Peter paid respects ..Kadaw de …not only to me but to my German friend Ursula,who remembers them fondly.They left a joyous impression.
The last chapter ends with our unforgettable trip to New Zealand to celebrate Prudence and Minko’s wedding on 15th. February 2020. Peter invited me to stay with them at the luxurious apartment at the Trinity Wharf Hotel, Tauranga, which Tin KyiWin had rented but could not make the trip. It was a home away from home as Peter thoroughly enjoyed the facilities. On the morning of our departure Peter prepared mushroom omelet as usual and ate my share, which I kindly refused, with relish. I think he just enjoyed food always.
Peter brought the thread and needles needed to make the garland for the bridal pair from Reading and I helped him to make the garland,which he patiently threaded. So that was his personal touch for the ceremony. I regret that Peter never found the time to visit us in Germany. There was so much I wanted to show him and share. He would have appreciated my collection of antique books on Burma. I even thought of giving him the books one day.
Peter gave me one of his water colour paintings.
Peter as we all know was a most devoted,self sacrificing son,a loving and caring husband and father and a man who practised what he believed … above all Metta, loving kindness.
Peter, a man of kaleidescopic characters who enriched the lives of all the people who were fortunate to meet him.
A gifted healer and a prophet. His prophetic words were not heard and heeded,which tragically costed him his life. A great great loss. His life was not in vain.
Obituary
The following Obituary appeared in the Guardian (UK Newspaper) on May 15, 2020.
Dr Peter Tun obituary
Will Tun (Ye Lay)
My father, Dr Peter Tun, who has died aged 62 of Covid-19, travelled in 1994 from his native Burma (now Myanmar) to Britain to work as a doctor in the NHS. His career took him into the training of doctors, and eventually earned him the role of associate postgraduate dean (2012-16) at Oxford Deanery training centre, which prepares medical graduates for their first NHS jobs.
Much loved by his colleagues, he had expertise in a wide range of areas, from diseases related to stroke, brain and spinal injuries to muscle spasticity management, the benefits of medicinal marijuana, nutritional rehabilitation and mindfulness therapy.
Peter was born in Yangon, in Burma (now Myanmar), the eldest son of U Tin U and Cheery Tin Gyi. He won a scholarship to study medicine at the University of Yangon and as a young freshman enjoyed participating in shot put and discus-throwing tournaments. After graduating in 1981, he started as a research medical officer for a WHO-sponsored project on maternal and child healthcare. From 1985 to 1994 he worked as a GP across the villages of the Ayeyarwady Delta.
He had fond memories of riding around in a jeep through many villages, helping to heal the sick and asking his patients only to pay what they could afford. He was an advocate for providing education as a tool to transform the lives of the communities he served.
During this time he met his future wife, Daw Win Mar. They would go on to have two sons, Minko (my brother Michael) and Ye Aung (me). As a testament to his tenacity, Peter decided to build a new home from the ground up for his family. That house still stands with a back garden full of banana trees beneath a hot tropical sun.
Peter brought his family to the UK in 1994. We lived in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, before moving to London, where in 1997 Peter became a member of the Royal College of Physicians and the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Our family finally settled in Reading, in a home filled with joy. Peter loved gardening, cooking, barbecues, sharing recipes, the Beatles and painting watercolours of pagodas and scenes from Burma.
A devout Buddhist who enjoyed meditation, he had practised intensive Vipassana meditation under the Venerable Ashin Janakabhivamsa when he was a second-year medical student in Burma. He recalled those moments of spiritual practice as one of the most precious times of his life.
He is survived by Daw Win Mar and his children.
Thin Thiri Tun
Uncle Peter was our role model — someone who we always admired and looked up to. He was knowledgeable, kind, passionate and helpful to everyone around him near and far.
My mother always valued uncle Peter’s advices, memories and shared with us. Some of them are during his younger days in Vipassana meditation practice under the guidance of Chan Myay Sayadaw, Venerable U Janakabhivamsa. He went to meditation retreat to follow his friend but eventually he became deeply interested. He would go and find his teacher Sayadaw even at midnight when he had questions. Sayadaw praised later that he was one of the Yogi students who progressed very quickly. He also volunteered to carry very heavy items for building construction in the retreat compound. He managed to carry them easily with mindfulness.
He also had a very good memory. After listening once to a dhamma talk, he can explain it to others from beginning to end.
He told me that we don’t have to wait for our free time to practice mindfulness. He mentioned that he was always practicing even in a few minutes while waiting for the lift to arrive. He said he also spent time to radiate loving kindness to living beings every day.
Uncle Peter was giving not only medical advices but also dhamma advices to us since my father fell ill. I have the deepest gratitude to uncle Peter for all the things.
Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana mentioned during one month remembrance offerings that Uncle Peter is definitely in a better life now. It is like leaving behind the clay pot and getting a golden pot. May he attain Nibbana.
In the US, the second Saturday of May is celebrated as Mother’s Day. In 2020, Mother’s Day fell on May 9, 2020.
Due to “Shelter in place” ordinance still in effect, we had a simple family gathering. My Myees helped peel the quail eggs for the “Yaw / Mixed Kyee O” prepared by their mother. Chit Sa Noe sang “Mother’s Day” song for her grandma and mother.
In the beginning, Pho Lone would only give us an “Air Hug”. It was a precaution.
My Life Savers
When we were young, we listened to the song called M-O-T-H-E-R.
M-O-T-H-E-R (Song)
M is for the Million things she gave me O means Only that she’s growing Old T is for her Tender sweet caresses H is for her Heart of purest Gold E means Everything she’s done to save me R means Right and Right she’ll always be
Put them altogether, they spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
M is for the Mercy she possesses O means that I Owe her all I Own T is for the Tears she shed to save me H is for her Hands that made a home E is for her Eyes with sunlight shining R means Real and Regular you see
Put them altogether, they spell MOTHER A word that means a world to me.
Min Ko
Win Mar, Min Ko & Peter
Like his father, grand father and great grand father, he is the eldest son in the family.
He was born in Mezaligone. He grew up to see his parents go in a jeep to nearby villages to treat patients. He remembered Peter dig a tube well and provided drinking water for the neighbors. His memories became clear as he listened to an old phone message from Peter to tell him and Pru about his life as a “village doctor”.
Min Ko stayed for some time with Peter’s parents when Peter moved to UK. The family reunited after Peter had two jobs and was financially secure.
He graduated from Kent University in 2009. From 2010, he worked on BTM-UFLP (“Be on The Move – Unilever Future Leaders Program”) projects. He worked in UK, Spain, Australia and/or New Zealand.
He joined Peter to attend the wedding / reception of Thandar (Peter’s cousin) held in Mexico several years ago.
He and Pru hosted an engagement party at Winner Inn over a year ago.
The wedding / reception took place in New Zealand in February 2020.
Peter told his aunt, uncles and cousins that his father U Tin U might live long enough to see the great grand child. Peter also mentioned that he will retire in three years time and spend quality time with his extended family.
Sadly, Peter lost his life due to misguided Policies and Guidelines.
Min Ko found Peter’s e-mails requesting PPE. He presented the emails to the news media and gave interviews. He emphasized that the staff of Royal Berkshire Hospital were professional, kind-hearted and took care of Win Mar & Peter during the hospitalization. He was sad that his father was victimized by those “hiding behind policies”.
Min Ko could not grief fully since he had to take care of the legal and financial matters (e.g. filling paper forms, talking to lawyers and insurance companies, preparing the funeral service).
He wrote a letter to Peter and choked while reading. He told Peter once again that (a) he will take care of the family (b) he will tell his child (when he gets one) the life story of Peter.
U Tin Htoon
Tribute to PETER
On May 13th it will be one month that my beloved nephew Dr. Peter Khin Tun suddenly left us. In his remembrance I will start posting some of the photos of our very last pleasant, joyful and memorable meeting with him and his family in Tauranga, New Zealand in February. As there is a saying “a photo is worth a thousand words”, I sincerely hope that these photos will supplement the following brief description of mine.
In the first group will be about Min Ko celebrating his 34th birthday at #8 Restaurant and Bar on February 14th. It was also like a welcoming dinner for relatives from both sides gathered to attend Min Ko & Prudence’s wedding.
In the second group will be that of the Church wedding and the wedding reception on February 15th. We were extremely fortunate to have an excellent weather for an outdoor event.
In the last and final group will be about our unforgettable stay of of over a week at the lovely Trinity Wharf Hotel where we had countless delicious breakfast prepared by Peter and Ye Lay, and lunches and dinner arranged by Min Ko out of his extremely busy schedule. It was next to the Ocean and was just like a “home away from home,” thanks to Tin Kyi Win who selected and arranged for us. During that time Peter told me about his plans to retire in three years time. Those very last words of him still rings in my ears. The thought that if only he had those PPE which he literally had to beg for, he might be still alive today to enjoy his hard earned retirement after a life time of service which he succumbed to still lingers on,
Surely he will be missed by so many of his family members, relatives, colleagues and patients. We all wish him for a much, much better and brighter existence.
HlaMin 