Had good memory and strong hands until his final days
Tin U
Passed away in Yangon on August 19, 2025
He was 96 years young.
Obituary
Obituary
Final Journey
Attended by Family members, relatives and friends
Invitation for Yet Le Soon KywayAye Aye Khin (Daughter)Thin Thiri Tun (Granddaughter)
Academic & Experience
BSCE (Oregon State University)
MSCE (Yale University)
Former Part-time Lecturer, Civil
Former Director, Clark & Grieg
Former Advisor, InterKiln
Former Advisor, PWD Architect Group 2
Oldest & Most Senior Past Captain, Rangoon University Boat Club
Past Captain, Rangoon Golf Club
Former Treasurer, Burma Society of Civil Engineers
Family
U Tin U, Aye Aye Khin, Daw Cherry, Ye Myint, Peter
Spouse
Dr. Cherry 1
Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (Cherry) — passed away in November 2019
She did Nutrition Research at BMRI.
Children
Peter & his mom Dr. Cherry Family & RelativesAye Aye. Dr. Cherry, Dr. Peter, U Tin UFamily & Relatives 2Daw San San Aye, U Tin U, Dr. Ye Myint& Dr. Aye Sandar
Dr. Khin Tun (Peter, MRCP, Former Associate Dean of Oxford University, passed away in April 2020) & Daw Winmar;
Daw Aye Aye Khin (B.Com, CPA) & U Tin Tun (passed away in May 2020)
Dr. Ye Myint (Fellowship training in Intensive Care and Anesthesia, Took care of his father’s health in the final days) & Daw San San Aye
YM 1 YM 2 YM 3
Grandchildren
Min Ko & Prudence
Ye Aung
Dr. Aye Sandar
Thin Thiri Tun
Dr. Khin Sandy Tun
Great Grandchildren
Su Wai Tun
Hnin Wai Tun
Peter, Winmar, Ye Aung, Min Ko
Siblings
U Tin U, Ruby, Father U Chan Sein, BettyBa Than, Myo Tint, Myo Min, Thaung Lwin, Tin Htoon, Tin U U Tin Htoon, U Tin U, U Ba Than, U Thaung Lwin, Dr. Myo TintSix Siblings
U Ba Than (Scholarship Winner in 1947, Gold Medalist for I.Sc in 1949, Alumnus of Imperial College, Retd. Prof. of Mech. Engg) — GBNF
Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby)
Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, B.Com, Spouse of Dr. F Ba Hli) — GBNF
Dr. Myo Tint (3rd in Burma in 1952, RUBC Captain) — GBNF
U Tin Htoon (A60, RUBC Captain, ARAE Champion, SEAP Silver Medalist in Yachting)
U Myo Min (1st in I.Com & B.Com, Chartered Acct, UCC Co-founder)
U Thaung Lwin (Scholarship Winner in 1960, First in EC66, RUBC Captain)
Daw Cho Cho Hlaing (CRO, German Diploma)
Highlights
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1946
Represented RUBC at the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi with Pe Nyun, Pe Thein and Khin Maung Wint
1948 Independence Day Regatta
Rowing
Four brothers — Tin U, Myo Tint, Tin Htoon & Thaung Lwin — are RUBC Captain & Gold
Two other brothers — Ba Than and Myo Min — are RUBC Green
Tin U & Thaung LwinRUBC Captains
Photo shows Five RUBC Captains. Sein Htoon (Cox) is a cousin; he is 1960 ARAE Champion
Most Senior Past Captain
Captain of Rangoon University Boat Club (1948 – 49)
RUBC
As the Most Senior and Oldest Past Captain of RUBC, U Tin U was invited to open the RUBC Centennial Celebration in 2023
RUBC Centennial
Bridge
Played with friends (e.g Richard Po Ohn)
Played with Uncle and two cousins
Golf
Past Captain, RGC
Played with senior (e.g U Yaw Hlaing) & junior (e.g U Soe Paing) partners until his early 80s
Memories
Relaxing in the garden
Tin U
Visit
With Than Htut
Interviews
For RGC (Rangoon Golf Club)
For HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education)
For his grandson Min Ko
Kidnap Survivor
See account by his son Dr. Khin Tun (Peter)
Yahan Khan
Yahan Khan
Garawa
SPZP-2012
SPZP-2012
PWD Architect 2 Group
PWD 1PWD 2PWD 3
Birthday Presents
Photo Album for 90th birthday by Tin Htoon & Htaik San
Photo Cards for several birthdays by Tin Htoon & family
Ko Tin Hla (EP 69) passed away on 10th January 2012 of cancer, which has spread over most of his organs, originally started on his lungs. He was suffering from cancer and was operated four months ago.
His funeral will be on the 12th January 2012 at Yae Wai (13.00 hr).
He is the No. 59 on GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) list.
Ko Shwe, Myint Maung. Win Maung, Aung Gyi Shwe, Myint Thein Kabar, and I went and met his family yesterday.
May I remind you to take care of your health.
With Metta and best regards. Aung Min (M 69)
From Ivan Lee (M69)
It is sad news. I was very close with him at the RIT second and third years. I named him Tommy, resident from Myoung-Mya. I met him at the Bassein college first year. He had a younger brother. When his father passed away in Rangoon, I remembered he and I seated together at the front, next to the driver of the funeral car at Rangoon Chinatown. At my RIT 69er welcome party in Yangon in Nov. 2006, that was the last time I saw him.
I am sending my deepest condolence to his family, and wish him be merry whatever he is going to be.
Again, it is an universal rule, we can keep going to lose one after another, will never ever to add any single one more into our network, regardless what, we must regard [and help] one another. And take care of our health, not others assistance, but ourselves desirability.
God bless all of our beloved classmates , alumni, respectful Sayas.
Best regards Ivan Lee USA
From U Aung Kyaw Pe (EP69)
Dear all,
Very sad to hear the demise of him.
Aung K P
From U Sein Myint (EP69)
Dear All,
Very sad to hear from Aung Min regarding Ko Tin Hla from Myoung-Mya.
He is very near to Myint Mg (Bu Gyi). We were very near when doing this and that. Kristian Lal also together with him.
Sein Myint (K K Wong)
From U Thein Swe (EP69)
Dear Ko A Min and all,
Well done! Thanks for your annual and, occasional reports [about the ’69er Health Care Fund]. Once a friend is forever the friend. The older we become the more we should recognize our classmates no matter whether alive or deceased, in high or low profile. Please extend my words of thanks to Ko Shwe, Moe Hein, Myo Nyunt, Myint Sein, Kyaw Zin, Myint Thein, etc for their activities regardless of old age.
There are some outstanding classmates of the year 2011 viz: Ivan Lee @ Khin Maung Oo (USA, Kyaukme, M), unnamed classmate from USA,. Nyunt Nyunt Wai (Tx, Germany).
With metta Thein Swe
From U Sein Tin (M69)
Dear Ko Aung Min and the rest,
Thank you for your annual report of Health Care Fund and activities. You are right. We are at the sun set time. We need both physical and mental support to each other.
You have done well. I support you.
With regards, Sein Tin [Omega]
Updates
At one time, the Class of 69 had median age of 69 and the GBNF list was 69.
At present the Class of 69 has a median age of 78 / 79 and the GBNF list is 138.
Note that several people in the post — Aung Gyi Shwe, “Kabar” Myint Thein and Thein Swe — are now GBNF.
Ma Tin Tin (Anne, EC69) donated $300 to the 69er Health Care Fund. Per her request, she was listed as a “classmate in the US”. She is the lone female EE graduate in 1969. She migrated to the US. She earlier told the 69ers of her volunteer work for immigrants and/or seniors. She attended the Golden Jubilee Celebration in 2019 and donated $1000.
Conventional wisdom says, “Pyauk thor thu shar hlyin tway. Thay thor thu kyar hlyin mae.” ပျောက်သောသူ ရှာလျှင်တွေ့။ သေသောသူ ကြာလျှင်မေ့။ One may find a lost person. One tends to forget those who have passed away.
Unconventional wisdom says, “We should maintain GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten) lists as part of the Written History of our beloved alma mater, our mentors and colleagues.”
We use GBNF in the “RIT Alumni International Newsletter” and in my Posts. Other posts may provide additional information for the entries in the GBNF (by period or year) posts.
Others use RIP (Rest in Peace), and BFHA (Bound For Higher Abode)
First RIT Website
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) set up three GBNF pages on ex-RIT.org web site :
GBNF for sayas and sayamas
U Ba Hli
GBNF for alumni
GBNF for spouses
I used GBNF in the last stanza of my poem “SAYA PU ZAW PWE” for SPZP-2000. The poem was reprinted as the Back Cover of Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung for SPZP-2000. It was only reprinted by the Class of 69 and Combined 1st BE intake of 64 and 65.
Poem for SPZP-2000
GBNF for RIT Class of 69
The GBNF list is maintained by U Aung Min (M69) and team.
There are 138 entries in the GBNF list. About 20 succumbed to Covid.
About 320 students entered the first ever 2nd BE in 1964. The list includes a few seniors who took sabbatical in their study and ended up as our classmates. Over 40% of our former classmates have passed away.
69ers GBNF
EE69ers
There were 13 EC69ers. The following have passed away :
U Kyaw Soe (DCA)
U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, Schlumberger)
U Aung Thu Yein
U Chit Tin (MOGE)
U Chit Tin & Maung Kabar
U Oo Kyaw Hla (Canada)
Sai Aik Yee
Several EPers are also GBNF. They include
Khin Maung Win (Sargalay)
Khin Maung Win (Sargalay)
Thein Swe (3rd BE Luyechun)
Aung Gyi Shwe (Track & Field)
Soe Win (Basketball)
Khin Win (Weightlifting)
Abdul Rauf
Golden Jubileees
Due to the decline of health of 69ers, the group chose to have two Golden Jubilees : the first in 2014 to celebrate the admission to RIT, and the second in December 2019 to celebrate the graduation of most members in 1969.
GBNF for RIT Class of 70
U Ohn Khine (M70) reported close to 130 entries in the GBNF list of the Class of 70.
Tommy Shwe, Cho Aye, Peter Pe and Thaung Sein (Steeve Kay) were among the Top Ten students from the class. They are now GBNF.
Tommy ShweSteeve Kay (Thaung Sein)Cho Aye
Over 450 students entered the first ever 1st BE.
GBNF from PPBRS
Most of my sayas and sayamas from PPBRS have passed away.
U Kyaw Zaw & Daw Khin Khin Aye
Among my PPBRS classmates, Myo Set (son of actor Tha Gaung Gyi) was the first to pass away. He perished in a car accident. Myint Sein (Veda) and Myat Hla Sein (Movie Tech) are among the recent GBNF from PPBRS.
Myat Hla Sein
GBNF from SPHS
Most of my sayas and sayamas from SPHS have passed away. Sayadaw Beatson (Physics, Boy Scouts) is still active and strong.
SPHS Sayas
Among my SPHS classmates, Min Thaw (Gilbert, SPHS63) is among the early ones to pass away. Dr. Myo San (Freddie), Aung Thu Yein (Brownie), Tin Tun, Maung Maung Kyi, Aung Kyi (Arthur Kyi), Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung), Aung Chaw (Victor) are among the GBNF from SPHS63.
Myo San (Freddie)Maung Maung Kyi Soon Kyaw by Kyaw Wynn
GBNF from UCC & ICST
Several of my sayas, colleagues and former students have passed away.
CO Hla Min (Pauk Si) is an early GBNF from UCC. U Aung Zaw, Daw Nge Ma Ma Than, U Maung Maung Lay (Ah Ba), U Aung Myint and U Maung Maung Gyi are among the recent GBNF from UCC.
Dr. Chit Swe & U Aung ZawDr. Tin Maung & Daw Nge Ma Ma ThanU Maung Maung Lay & U Maung Maung GyiCO U Hla Min, U Aung Myint, U Aung Zaw
Relatives
Dr. “Cherry” Khin Kyi Nyunt
U Tin U, Dr. Cherry, Peter
Dr. “Peter” Khin Tun
U Tin Tun
Daw “Peggy” Than Than Yee
Dr. Khin Yi Than
Daw Aye May
Daw Hla Hla Myint
Dr. Myo Tint
Dr. Myo Tint
Saya U Ba Than
U Ba Than
Daw “Betty” Myint Thwe
Daw Myint Thwe
Saya U Tin U
U Tin U
U “Charlie” Thein Han
U Thein Han
Tone Kyaw တုံးကျော်
One should have Samvegha (sense of urgency) after hearing the sad news. When my namesake Hla Min (Pauk Si, SPHS64, EP70) passed away in his mid-thirties, we were shocked since he seemed strong and did not wear jackets (mandated for UCC employees entering the Computer Room). He would often be seen in sport shirts. He passed away with a few months of being diagnosed with liver problem. The consultant doctor was Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, SPHS64, IM71). Ko Pauk Si was not a drinker, but other causes inflicted his liver. I became a Tone Kyaw when two government departments where I had given Guest Lectures on Computers and Applications tried to send me “Lwan Thu Pan Khwe” လွမ်းသူ့ပန်းခွေ
U Han Sein (C69) became a Tone Kyaw when the Organizers of the 30th Anniversary of Graduation inadvertently listed him in the GBNF list of the Class of 69. The organizers were unaware that U Han Sein was detained by the authorities after the 8-8-88 event. He resurfaced two decades later with the declaration of Amnesty.
Han Sein
Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63) became a Tone Kyaw when his namesake Saya Dr, Tin Hlaing (formerly of Maritime Studies) passed away. Some alumni had to revoke the wrong announcement.
Matriculated from St. John’s Dio in 1947, and won Collegiate Scholarship.
In 1949, he won Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Intermediate of Science exam.
RUBC Full Green
Studied B.Sc (Special) in Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, London University
Joined Faculty of Engineering as Assistant Lecturer
Per request from Dr. Maung Maung Kha (Interim Dean of Engineering), he helped build the Engineering Library
As a requirement for promotion, he did Masters at Imperial College
Retired as Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Mech Engg Sayas
Saya is an early supporter of the HMEE (History of Myanmar Engineering Education) project. Donated his photo albums. Cooperated with U Thaw Kaung to allow U Soe Paing & team to access the archives of Rangoon University Central Library.
HMEE book (2012)
He also interviewed his elder brother U Tin U for HMEE project. U Tin U taught part-time at the Civil Engineering Department, and served as Treasurer of Burma Society of Civil Engineers.
Family
U Ba Than & Daw Mya Mya
He is the second son of U Chan Sein and Daw Cheng Kim.
Siblings : U Tin U, 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
Spouse : Daw Mya Mya
Son : U Ye Than
Daughter-in-law : Daw Lwin Mar Oo
Grand children : Aung Myo Myint, Ei Khine
U Ba Than 2U Ba Than 1
Winner Inn
U Ye Than and Daw Lwin Mar Oo ran “Winner Inn”.
Later, their children Aung Myo Myint and Ei Khin expanded the services provided by Winner Inn (notably W Bistro)
Winner Inn
Birthdays
Celebrations
Birthday Soon Kyway
Before the pandemic, he invited colleagues and former students to his Birthday Soon Kyway at Yaw Sayadaw’s Monastery.
U Tin Htoon (A60, younger brother) compiled a Photo Album for Saya’s 90th Birthday
U Ba Than
Donated all of the Garawa Money to various social & religious associations.
Passed away peacefully after his 94th birthday.
U Ba Than & Family
90+ Club Members
Four of the nine siblings are members of the 90+ Club like their mother.
U Tin U (eldest) passed away on Aug 19, 2025 — a few weeks after his 96th birthday. He was the most senior Past Captain of RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club). He was Past Captain of RGC (Rangoon Golf Club). He was also the oldest Yale University alumni from Burma.
U Ba Than (2nd oldest) passed away after his 94th birthday.
Dr. Daw Win Hlaing (Ruby, 3rd) celebrated her 93rd birthday on Aug 31, 2025.
Daw Myint Thwe (Betty, 4th) passed away two months before her 91st birthday.
Saya Allen Htay (C58) is a founding member of RIT Alumni International and served as its President.
He wrote “Brother, can you spare US $500 and more?” for the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe (aka SPZP-2000).
Saya retired thrice, but his former students coaxed him to un-retire twice.
With the help of U Maurice Chee (M75), Daw Mu Mu Kin donated Saya’s books to YTU Library. The dedication ceremony took place at YTU on February 26, 2016.
U Hla Moe (Dawei) was Cox of the Senior Novices Winning Crew : U Than Soe (M63, RUBC Gold), U Yin Maung, U Chit Swe and Dr. Byron Law Yone (GBNF).
U Ba Than (Fitness Teacher, Palmistry Expert) warned him (who was planning a trip home before coming back to Rangoon to become a temporary monk) of an impending danger.
He replied, “I had an accident that left scars on my face. It is safe to go on the Schooner owned by my father”.
The Schooner sunk at sea. A rescue ship eventually saved three crew members, who reported that U Hla Moe was helping others before they lost sight of him.
HlaMin 