An Old Paulian is a former student of St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon.
SPHS was founded by De La Salle Brothers in 1860.
The school was nationalized on April 1, 1965. It became No. 6 Botathaung State High School.
GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten)
Year of Matriculation is stated wherever possible
Alphabetical Order
Alan Khoo / Than Win : 54
Alan Saw Mg / Khin Maung Bo : 63
Edwin Ngwe / Aye Ngwe (L), Alan Saw Maung / Khin Maung Bo (3rd from L), Victor Chaw / Aung Chaw (5th from left, Arthur Kyi / Aung Kyi (3rd from R), Tin Tun (2nd from R) are GBNF
Alfred Saw Mg / Khin Maung Maung : 64
Arthur Kyi / Aung Kyi : 63
Aung Chaw / Victor Chaw : 63
Aung Khin : 63
Aung Kyi / Arthur Kyi : 63
Aung Lwin Nyo : 70
Aung Myint : 64
Aung Thu Yein / Brownie Way : 63
Brownie Way / Aung Thu Yein
Aung Thwin : 63
Aye Kyaw : 64
Aye Ngwe / Edwin Ngwe : 63
Brownie Way / Aung Thu Yein : 63
Chit Po Po : 63
Eddie Khoo / Kyi Win : 57
Edward Tai / Kyaw Sint : 63
Edwin Ba Hein / Yi Thway : 65
Edwin David : 63
Edwin Ngwe / Aye Ngwe : 63
Freddie Ba San / Myo San : 63
Freddie Sein : 63
Gerald Sein / San Maung : 54
Gilbert Thaw / Min Thaw : 63
Han Kyu Pe : 64
Han Shein / Hla Moe : 56
Han Tin : 56
Han Tun Maung : 60
Henry Saw Naing : 60
Hla Min / Pauk Si : 64
Hla Moe / Han Shein : 56
Hla Myint / Michael : 60
Hla Myint (Snow)
Htay Lwin Nyo : 68
John Tin Win : 58
John Tint / Khin Maung Myint : 66
Khin Maung Aye : 61
Khin Maung Bo / Alan Saw Maung : 63
Khin Maung Lay : 61
Khin Maung Htun : 58
Khin Maung Maung / Alfred Saw Maung : 64
Khin Maung Myint / John Tint : 66
Ko Ko Lay : 56
Kyaw Khin : 63+
Kyaw Lwin Nyo :
Kyaw Phone Myint / Victor Kyaw Phyo : 64
Kyaw Sein Hla : 65
Kyaw Sint / Edward Tai : 63
Kyi Swan : 58
Kyi Win / Eddie Khoo : 57
L Shark Moon : 60
Maung Maung Aye : 63
Maung Maung Gyi (Dr) : 63
Maung Maung Gyi / Henry Than Htay / Thein Tan : 64
Maung Maung Khant : 66
Maung Maung Kyi : 63
Maung Maung Myint
Maung Maung Kyi
Maung Maung Myint Kyaw : 65
Maung Maung Thaung : 63
Michael Hla Myint : 60
Michael Yeo / Oo Thwin : 54
Micky Tan / Thein Aung : 59
Min Thaw / Gilbert Thaw : 63
Mya Maung : 5x
Myint Sein / Bobby : 64
Myint Soe : 62
Myint Thein : 62
Myint Thin : 65
Myo San / Freddie Ba San : 63
Freddie (Right)
Ngwe Zoe / Peter Gale : 57
Nyunt Tin : 52
Oo Thwin / Michael Yeo : 54
Peter Gale / Ngwe Zoe : 57
Phillip Ba Maung : 63
Raymond Ba Phyu / Sein Lwin
San Maung / Gerald Sein : 54
Saw Naing / Henry : 60
Sein Lwin / Raymond Ba Hpyu
Sein Tin : 5x
Shwe Zan Aung : 63
Soe Aung : 65
Soe Nyunt : 65+
Sonny Yone Sein : 63+
Sydney Khant : 63+
Than Toe : 60
Than Win / Alan Khoo : 54
Thein Aung / Micky Tan : 59
Thet Tun : 58
Tin Hlaing : 59
Tin Nwe : 63
Tin Tun : 63
Tin Tun
Tin Win : 58
Tint Kyi : 67
U Wara / Win Paing : 64
U Wara
Win Myint : 58
Win Paing / U Wara : 64
Winston Sein Maung : 65
Victor Chaw / Aung Chaw : 63
Victor Kyaw Phyo / Kyaw Phone Myint : 64
Yi Thway / Edwin Ba Hein : 65
Updates
SPHS was nationalized in 1965.
A few joined SPHS, but matriculated from No. 6 Botathaung State High School
Some (who have two names) are listed with an asterisk
U Ohn Khine (M70) and team maintain the GBNF list for 1st BE intake in 1964.
About 140 members are GBNF.
Peter Pe, Steeve Kay, Tommy Shwe and Cho Aye, who were among the Top Matriculates, have passed away.
Peter Pe
Peter represented RIT in Swimming and Water Polo. He passed away unexpectedly in 5th BE.
Steeve Kay
Steeve Kay
Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70) is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP. He is Chair of Kay Family Foundation.
Tommy Shwe
Tommy Shwe
Tommy played Badminton for RIT. Before graduation, he left for Taiwan. He later moved to USA. He was a successful Entrepreneur (with three Masters). Sadly, he was killed by his handyman.
Cho Aye
He and Win Lwin (M69) represented RIT in the All Universities Expedition to Mount Victoria. He also volunteered for the activities of Combined 1st BE Intake of 64 and 65.
Cho Aye
Sayas & Family Members
Saya U Ba Than
Saya U Ba Than
Saya U Ba Than is Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
He was an early supporter of HMEE project.
He donated his Garawa money to various charitable associations.
Saya U Min Wun
Saya U Min Wun
Saya U Min Wun retired as Professor of Civil Engineering.
He was a member of the Myanmar Pyet Ka Dein Ah Phwe.
He was advisor for the Regional College Project and Pagan Restoration Project.
He passed away in California, USA.
Ma Ma Pat
Ma Ma Pat
Ma Ma Pat (spouse of Saya U Myo Myint Sein) passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2022.
Saya Myo celebrated his 91st birthday on October 1, 2022.
Saya U Tin U’s Family
Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt, Dr. Peter Khin Tun
Three family members of U Tin U passed away within a few months.
Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (spouse) — November, 2019
Dr. Peter Khin Tun (elder son) — April 2020
U Tin Tun (son-in-law) — May 2020
Saya U Aung Hla Tun
Saya U Aung Hla Tun (GBNF)
Saya U Aung Hla Tun, Retired Associate Professor of Metallurgical Engineering passed away in February 2022.
He was Chief Editor of RIT Annual Magazine. He led the History of Myanmar Engineering Education Project.
He won the National Literary Award.
Electrical Engineering
U Tun Aung
U Tun Aung
U Tun Aung (Jefferey, EC68) is a founding member and past President of BASES.
He passed away in October 2021.
U Soe Myint Lwin
Memorial Service for U Soe Myint Lwin
U Soe Myint Lwin (EP68) played Soccer for Burma, RU & RIT.
He was EC of the Burma Women’s Soccer Federation.
He passed away in 2017.
Soon Kwyay Invitation for U Soe Myint Lwin
Other EE68
Sayama Daw Mya Mya Than
Zaw Win / Cyril
Thein Zaw / Joe Chow / Ah Yoke
Civil Engineering
Saya H Num Kok
Saya H Num Kok Saya H Num Kok
Saya H Num Kok is a Saya of our Sayas.
He was President of RIT Track & Field Association.
He passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA in his late 90s.
Saya Allen Htay (C58)
Saya Allen Htay
Saya Allen Htay (C58) was the leader of the SF Bay Area RIT Alumni Advisory Group.
He is a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000.
He is known for his article, “Brother, can you afford $500 and more?”
He passed away in California, USA.
Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58)
Dr. Win Thein
Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58) retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering.
In his memory, his sister offered dana to Alumni Association, Swel Daw Yeik Foundation, Health care for Sayas and Sayamas.
U Khin Maung Win (C58)
Class of Civil 1958
U Khin Maung Win (Sid, C58) helped annotate the Class Photo with Saya Allen Htay and Saya Dr. San Hla Aung.
He passed away in USA
U Han Sein (C69)
Han Sein
U Han Sein (C69) represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and Basketball.
He was a Prisoner of Conscience for 17 years.
Uzin Aung Chaw (C69)
Uzin Aung Chaw
Mechanical Engineering
U Win Thein (M67)
Win Thein
Founder, Set Hmu Sar Saung
Co-founder, RIT Mechanical Engineering Magazine
Organizer, RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin
I Zeyar Lin (M69)
I Zeyar Lin
He passed away in 2018
U Aye Lwin (M69)
Aye Lwin
U Aye Lwin (M69) was Secretary of RIT Annual Magazine Committee & RIT Mechanical Engineering Association.
U Khin Maung Myint (M72)
U Khin Maung Myint (John Tint, M72) was Burma, RU & RIT Selected in Soccer.
He passed away in 2020
John Tint
U Thein Lwin (M72)
U Thein Lwin (M72) Captain, RIT Soccer passed away in 2022
Daw Helen Lim, 88+ years young passed away. She is the mother of Margaret Lim and Daisy Lim. She is the aunt of Saya U “Charlie” Hla Myint (M 65), U Michael Lim (C74), Daw Kyu Kyu Lin (T75) and Dr. San Lwin Lin (EC77).
Daw Kyin Shwe, 98+ years young, passed away at 7 am on February 8, 2014. She is the mother of U Nyunt Tin (M 70, RIT table tennis), Daw May Win Kyi (my primary school classmate), the late Daw Khin Pa Pa (Mrs. Sein Yaung, M 67), and U Nyunt Tun (Khamee khamet of Daw Kyu Kyu Lin).
U Soe Win Thaw Mechanical 1987 ( 1991 ) passed away on 7th Feb, 2014
Daw Khin Khin Aye
June 2014
Daw Khin Khin Aye Her elder sister Daw Tin Tin Aye founded Private Primary Boundary Road School (PPBRS). She taught at PPBRS and later became the Principal. She extended the school to teach Middle School and High School. The school was renamed PBRS. After nationalization, she worked as Township Education Officer for Bahan.
Ko Yin Kyu (M69, age 67), Mech/Agri RIT 69er passed away today (26th April, 2011) at 8/45 am.
His funeral will be on 28 April, 2011 at Yae Wai.
He worked for Public Works (Construction Corporation) as superintending engineer and retired in 2006.
He died of kidney failure, based on diabetes.
He had been hospitalized since 3rd April at the Shwegonedine Hospital.
With Metta. Aung Min (M69)
Comments
Danny (Tint Lwin, M69) wrote :
Dear Ko Aung Min, So sorry to hear that Ko Yin Kyu has passed away. Did anybody visit him when was hospitalised?
Ivan (Khin Maung Oo, M69) wrote :
Hi dear classmates: It is sad, sad sad, we need contribute our Nar Ye fund for his funeral and for supporting his family. It is the best we can do now. Another suggestion to our dear classmate to evaluate our balancing life. * The longer we stay, the more this kind of sad news will hear, the less of our classmate counting, so value our relationship and childhood friends. * Life is short, don’t stretch your exhaustion brain and still-healthy body working. Enough is enough, take the retirement at or before 65 years old. * You must know exactly to Love YOURSELF, it sounds selfish, but be practical. Don’t lie to yourself , be honest yourself.
Yi Yi Khaing (Vilma, ChE69) wrote :
My condolences for the family of Ko Yin Kyu’s family. Yes I agree totally with Ivan, to cherish our friends and families in our sunset years. At the same time doing good deeds while we can.
69ers who passed away in 2011
Aung Naing (Bahadhur, Min)
Chit Htun (Min)
Yin Kyu (M)
Updates
As of July 2025, there are 138 members in the 69er GBNF list
U Shwe Kyaw (BIT Volleyball Selected)Daw Khin Toe Myint
Graduated in 1963 with Mechanical Engineering
He and U Aye (M62) played together in Ramanya Hall volleyball team during 1959-60 season.
Represented BIT and RU in Volleyball (along with U Aye M62)
Joined the Air Force and became a Pilot.
He was Air Force Captain (Officiating Major) when he perished in a plane crash.
Survived by Sayama Daw Khin Toe Myint (Zoology) and two children. Sayama is a dhamma friend. Her son U Thet Win Kyaw played the Drums at SPZP-2000.
U Shwe Zan Aung (SPHS63)
Std VIII B in SPHS
Matriculated from SPHS in 1963
Joined the Army and went to the front several times
His grandfather was afraid of losing another grandson prematurely. He requested SZA to leave the army and promised to provide financial support in exchange for peace of mind. His grandfather supported SZA’s family for a long time.
Finally joined a ship as a radio operator
Perished at sea when the ship sunk
Dr. Shwe Tun Kyaw
He and his spouse took early retirement from their medical practice in UK.
They volunteered as Assistant Teachers in several bi-lingual (Burmese and English) Goenka Center retreats.
He is a classmate of my younger sister. I met him at the house of Audrey Wong (C84), a volunteer for the Northern California Goenka Center.
Matriculated with Distinctions in Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
In November 1964, he was admitted as a top Student to RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology) along with Zaw Min, Tommy Shwe (GBNF), Peter Pe (GBNF) and Cho Aye (GBNF).
Graduated in 1970 with BE (Bachelor of Engineering) with specialization in EC (Electrical Communications).
Moved to California, USA.
MSEE (Master of Science in Electrical Engineering) from Stanford University
MBA (Master in Business Administration) from Pepperdine University
Steeve 2
Experience
Worked in the Electronics Industry as IC (Integrated Circuit) Designer.
Per request from his younger sister Dr. Kay, he co-founded QTC and served as CEO (Chief Executive Officer). See Souvenir book for the Silver Jubilee of QTC.
QTC was acquired for a sizable sum. Became a Serial Entrepreneur & Philanthropist. Founded Eleok, Teehub & Kay Family Foundation.
Traveled to the Holy Places of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism & Islam to study Comparative Religion.
Visited prominent historic sites. Tried to trace his roots dating back ten or more generations.
Philanthropist
Founded CABA (Charitable Alliance of Burmese Associations). A notable CABA donation was to Disaster Relief Fund help the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. Details can be found in the reports prepared by Benny Tan (M70) who served as a CABA administrator.
Established KFF (Kay Family Foundation) to support a wide range of support. KFF donated to Universities (Stanford, Harvard, UC Irvine …), Research Institutes and Libraries. KFF sponsored the visit of Myanmar Education Delegation to California. KFF provided a Matching Donation of $30000 for the 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles.
He never forgot his roots. He wanted to show his appreciation for his schools, mentors, classmates and schoolmates.
KFF sponsored the publication of the “Centennial of Hwa Kyone School” and its Sequel.
He has donated $200000+ (via CABA and KFF) to RIT-related activities.
In October 2000, he donated $3000 to the First RIT Grand Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe and became the first Golden Sponsor. He also sponsored the subsequent SPZPs (Saya Pu Zaw Pwes) at Singapore in December 2002, April 2007 and December 2010; at Yangon in December 2004, December 2012 and 2016.
In 2004, he set up the “Steeve and Helen Kay Health Care Fund for RIT Sayas” with a pledge of $50000.
Final Years
In 2018, he was diagnosed with a medical problem. His doctors recommended to work from home and avoid long travels.
He requested Benny and me to organize a special Reunion and Acariya Pu Zaw Pwe on his behalf. For details, see my post about that event.
Started writing books to share his expertise and memories.
Saya is the eldest of five siblings. Youngest brother & youngest sister predeceased him. Younger brother is in Yangon. Younger sister in the US East Coast.
Thingyan
Thingyan
C58
Graduated with Civil Engineering in 1958
Classmates : Dr. San Hla Aung, Dr. Win Thein (GBNF), Khin Mg Win (Sid, GBNF), Oscar Sharazee
C58
RIT Saya
Joined Civil Engg Dept as Assistant Lecturer
Masters from Harvard; Also took courses at MIT (e.g. “SCHEME” / Lexically scoped Lisp)
Programmed his calculator using Reverse Polish Notation
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
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.
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.
He, Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt, U Ko Ko Aye (GBNF), 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 (GBNF). Saya Allen & I would join them for lunch gathering, which extended until dinner.
With Dr. San Lin
Saya is interested in Comparative Religion & Culture. Saya U Aung’s anecdote mentioned Saya’s visit to a mosque & Burmese Buddhist Temple in Singapore.
Saya 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
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
Class photo was sent by Saya Allen
Dr San Hla Aung helped to identify classmates
U Khin Maung Win (Sidney Chen, GBNF) supplied the photograph.
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, GBNF)
Dr. Aung Gyi (Ottawa, Canada)
U Min Wun (Los Angeles, California, GBNF)
Allen Htay (Mountain View, California, GBNF)
Dr. San Hla Aung (New Orleans, Louisiana)
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, GBNF).
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 (GBNF) succeeded Saya U Min Wun as Professor & Head of the Department. Except for a warning sign from an early Medical check up, he was healthy. He 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 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) & 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) & Alice U
Editor’s Notes: Dennis & Alice moved to Canada.
From Saya U Soe Paing & 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
Ko Maurice Chee (M75) coordinated the donation of books.
NorCal RITAA and some volunteer alumni from Yangon coordinated the selection of scholarship recipients.
HlaMin 