by Than Tun

Updated : September 2026

• Sayagyi U Tha Tun served as Head of Architecture Department at BIT.
• Dr. Koung Nyunt and U Than Tun wrote about their mentor for RIT Alumni Newsletter.

Compiled by his disciple U Than Tun (Arch 65)

The biography was read in commemoration of his 100th birthday (held in Kemmendine).

Sayagyi U Tha Tun was born on 4 October 1899.

He received

• B.Sc. degree from Yangon University in 1921
• A.A. dip. from London in 1926
• F.R.I.B.A. (Fellowship of Institute of British Architects) and A.M.T.P.I. (Associate Member of Town Planning Institute) in 1936

He is the only person who got F.R.I.B.A. as a Myanmar citizen up to date (in 1999). So his degree in full is : B.Sc., A.A.Dip.(London), F.R.I.B.A., A.M.T.P.I.

Back in Myanmar he worked as Executive Engineer (Planning) in National Housing Board and Town & City Development Trust.

From 1941-1945, he worked as City Architect and Government Architect in Public Works Department.

From 1954-58, he taught “History Of Architecture” at the Rangoon University Engineering department.

From 1960-1963, he was Head of Department of Architecture in BIT/RIT.

His works in Yangon include

• Medical College 1 in Yangon.
• Inya Hall, Thiri Hall,
• Many other private houses
• [Contributed his labor in] many religious buildings all over Myanmar.

He also won first prize in design competition for the renovation of Shwe Maw Daw Pagoda (Pegu) which was destroyed by an earthquake.

He lived for 75 years and passed away on 13th Sept. 1974 in Yangon.

Whenever he was invited to a meeting or a gathering of Architects, he always tried to attend and used to say his favorite words:
“A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER”

Before he died, he sent a message to a meeting of S.S.A. and the following are the excerpts from his message.

” THE ART AND CULTURE REST ON THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY OF STUDENTS ARCHITECTS. I EXHORT TO THE SPIRIT OF S.S.A. TO CREATE A HISTORY AND I RENDER A HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS FOR PROMOTION OF ARCHITECTS IN BURMA”

Updates

• U Than Tun is now GBNF

Related Posts

• Architecture
• Kogyi Koung
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by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

69ers

• The GBNF list has 146 members.
• The old list showed 141.

• U Aung Min (M69) and team maintain the GBNF list for 69ers (2nd BE intake in 1964). Over 40% of the 69ers are GBNF. About 20 members succumbed to Covid.

1st BE Intake in 1964

• U Ohn Khine (M70) and team maintain the GBNF list for 1st BE intake in 1964. About 150 members are GBNF.
• The actual number could be higher.

Mech 1972

• U Wynn Htain Oo (M72) and team occasionally published the GBNF list for M72.

Relatives

• Uncle U Thein Han and Aunty Daw Khin Khin Htwe passed away in Springfield, Maryland
• Cousins U Tin U, U Ba Than and Dr. Myo Tint passed away in Yangon
• Cousin Dr. Daw Win Hlaing passed away in Germany
• Cousin Daw Myint Thwe passed away in Australia
• Cousin U Oo Thwin passed away in Houston, Texas

• Saya U Ba Than (GBNF) is Retired Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He was an early supporter of HMEE project. He donated his Garawa money to various charitable associations.

Steeve Kay

• Steeve Kay (U Thaung Sein, EC70) is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP. He is Chair of Kay Family Foundation.
• He passed away in California.

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 (Spouse of U Myo Myint Sein)

• 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.

Family Members

of U Tin U

• 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 : succumbed to Covid in UK; First NIH doctor to be Covid Victim
  U Tin Tun (son-in-law) — May 2020

U Aung Hla Tun

• 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.

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

• 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.

I Zeyar Lin

• I Zeyar Lin (69er) passed away in 2018

Saya H Num Kok

• Saya H Num Kok is a Saya of our Sayas. He passed away in Portland, Oregon, USA in his late 90s.

Saya Allen Htay

• Saya Allen Htay (C58) is a founding member and President of RIT Alumni International which hosted SPZP-2000. He passed away in California, USA.

Saya Dr. Win Thein

• Saya Dr. Win Thein (C58) retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering.

Sid / Khin Maung Win

• U Khin Maung Win (Sid, C58) passed away in USA. He is a classmate of Sayas Allen Htay, Dr. San Hla Aung and Dr. Win Thein.

Han Sein / Ah Pho Gyi

• U Han Sein (C69) represented RIT in Swimming, Water Polo, Diving and Basketball. He was a Prisoner of Conscience for 17 years.

Benedict / Myat Swe

• U Myat Swe (Benedict Sia, M75) passed away in Taiwan. He is a life member of Alumni Association. He donated a Shwe YaDu bench.

Aung Gyi Shwe

• U Aung Gyi Shwe (EE69er) was Secretary of RIT Track and Field Association. He also played soccer and enjoyed weightlifting.

Aye Lwin

• U Aye Lwin (M69) was Secretary of RIT Annual Magazine Committee & RIT Mechanical Engineering Association.

Win Thein

• U Win Thein (M67) founded Set Hmu Thadin Zin. He was an Organizer for Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thinn and several RIT events.

John Tint

• U Khin Maung Myint (John Tint, M72)
  Burma, RU & RIT passed away in 2020

Thein Lwin

• U Thein Lwin (M72) Captain, RIT Soccer
  passed away in 2022

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Recent GBNF

Dr. Thein Hlyne (Mining)

• Professor, Mining Engineering
• Patron, RIT Buddhist Association
• Old Member, RUBC
• Old Johnian

U Lay Aung (M/Auto64)

• Taught at RIT and Assumption University
• Patron, RIT Buddhist Association

Ko Win Thein Zaw (Min69)

Ko Tint Swe (Zeegone)

Dr. Ba Lwin (EE59)

• Passed away in Yangon on 6th June 2026

69ers

• U Aung Min (M69) and team maintain the GBNF list for 69ers (2nd BE intake in 1964).
• 139 members — over 40% of the 69ers — are GBNF.
• About 20 members succumbed to Covid.

• GBNF sayas : U Tin Shwe, U Thein Lwin, U Ba Lwin …
• GBNF alumni : Chit Tin, Tun Oo Khine, Khin Maung Bo, Khin Maung Win, Thein Swe, Aung Thu Yein, Aung Gyi Shwe …

Intake of 64

• 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 (U Thaung Sein, EC70) is a Multiple Golden Sponsor for SPZP. He is Chair of Kay Family Foundation.

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.

Sayas & Family Members

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 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 (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

• 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, 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 (Jefferey, EC68) is a founding member and past President of BASES.
• He passed away in October 2021.

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.

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 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 (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)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

Mechanical Engineering

U Win Thein (M67)

• Founder, Set Hmu Sar Saung
• Co-founder, RIT Mechanical Engineering Magazine
• Organizer, RIT Ah Nu Pyinnya Ah Thin

I Zeyar Lin (M69)

• He passed away in 2018

U Aye Lwin (M69)

• 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

U Thein Lwin (M72)

U Thein Lwin (M72) Captain, RIT Soccer passed away in 2022

M72

• Kham Shan
• Khin Maung Myint / John Tint
• Khin Maung Oo
• Khin Maung Tin
• Khin Maung Toee
• Kyaw Kyaw Aung
• Kyaw Kyaw Maw
• Kyaw Moe
• Kyaw Myint Than
• Kyaw San Htun
• Soe Myint / Phone Gyi
• Soe Myint / Shwe Thwar
• Soe Myint Aung
• Soe Than

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

Recent Losses

Saya Dr. Thein Hlyne (Mining)

• Retired Professor, Mining Engineering
• Patron, RIT Buddhist Association
• Old Member, Rangoon University Boat Club — attended RUBC Regattas; posted photos from his Rowing Days
• Old Johnian

Saya U Lay Aung (M/Auto64)

• Retired Mech Engg Lecturer
• Taught at RIT and Assumption University
• Was active in RIT Buddhist Association
• Passed away in Yangon
• Ko Moe Zaw and Ma May Hlaing organized the Last Journey for Saya U Lay Aung
• Ko Maung Maung Lay and Ko San Lin (မောင်လူပေ) shared their memories of Saya

Ko Lin Kyi (C74)

• Ko Lin Kyi / Ronald Lwee
• Passed away in Northern California.
• သက်ပျောက်ဆွမ်း was offered at Kusalakari Monastery in Spady Rd, Fremont, California

Daw Khin Khin Hla

• Spouse of U Wah Kyu Chee
• Mother of Ko Maurice Chee (M75) and Dr. David Chee

May Than Nwe

• Retired Geologist
• Spouse of Ko Hla Mine Pye (SPHS68) Petroleum Geologist

69ers

Ko Thaung Htay (C69er)

• passed away in Myanmar
• GBNF #142

Ko Kyaw Naing (69er)

• passed away in Myanmar
• GBNF #143

Ko Win Thein Zaw / Wai Lu (Min69)

• passed away in Myanmar
• GBNF #144

Ko Tint Swe (Zeegone)

• passed away at Victoria Hospital
• GBNF #145

Mehm Ye Win (EC69)

• Past Secretary, RIT Electrical Engineering Association
• PTC (Post and Telecommunications Corporation)
• GBNF #146

Dana

• Maung Mar Ga & team : Eradication of Starvation

• Mg Mar Ga and friends donated a Concentrator for Bagyee Myat Myo Myint (who had a breathing problem)

• Ko Maung Maung Lay & Ma Khin Nyunt Yee : Medicine

• Ko Ivan Lee (M69) : $3600 to MASTAA

• Fred Thetgyi (M69) : requested Ko Aung Min & team to donate on his behalf for ဝမ်းရောဂါ ကာကွယ်ရေး

• Saya Ko Ye Myint (ChE70) : K40 Lakhs for Health Care of eligible sayas and sayamas

• Ko Maurice Chee (M75) offered Garawa money to Saya U Kyin Soe

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

February 2014

• 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

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.

August 2014

• U Maung Maung (T) : 31st Aug 2014

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

• U Win Naing (Dicky, M69, Singapore) represented RIT in Rowing along with Sein Myint (EP69).
• He also recruited his classmates (David, Fred, Sein Tun, Yi Pinn) and served as their cox.
• He also played Badminton.
• He had problems with bowel movement. He relied on laxatives and medications.
• A 69er suggested him to see another doctor for second opinion.
• He was surprised to find out that he had a late stage pancreatic cancer.
• He canceled his trip to Yangon to attend a 69er Reunion.
• He spent his final months calmly at his home.
• He passed away around the Chinese / Lunar New Year.
• Due to superstition, only his family members and a few friends were present at his last journey.

—-

* David Myint Thein wrote :

Gone But Not Forgotten, our dear friend as well as our Cox. May your soul rest in peace.

* Daniel Tint Lwin wrote :

May you rest in peace Dickie. We miss you dearly.