Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area RIT Alumni (which formed RIT Alumni International and hosted the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
SF Bay Area Alumni
President, RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Saya wrote the article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” for SPZP-2000. It resulted in five Golden Sponsors and many donors.
He provided the Class photo of C58 with help from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung and U Khin Maung Win (Sid Chen) for the caption.
C58
He took photos for the 10th Anniversary of RIT Alumni International. Saya was President of RIT Photography Association.
Experience
Matriculated in 1952 and attended RU.
Per his mother’s advice, he did not apply for Scholarship before graduating in 1958 with Civil Engineering.
Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
Received Masters from Harvard University.
Promoted to Lecturer.
Moved to USA.
Worked as Advisor for a UNDP project in Bangladesh.
Retired twice in the USA.
After first retirement, Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) invited him to Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley.
After second retirement, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) invited him to Caltrans.
Final Years
Saya accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. Saya had a stroke and was admitted to a hospital.
Saya continued medical treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he finally passed away.
Family
Saya left behind his spouse, son and daughter.
After saya’s demise, four grandchildren were born.
Daw Mu Mu Khin & grandkids
In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated saya’s books to YTU Library. She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.
69ers paid Garawa to Saya U Ba Than, who will turn 93 on October 2, 2023
Organizer
U Aung Min often disappears when Group Photos are taken.
Attendees
Daw Khin Than Myint Tin (Margaret, M69) was a Track & Field athlete. She and U Chan Nyein (Kyi Win) are among the nine co-hosts of the 69er Breakfast Gathering at Taw Win Hnin Si
He joined the Faculty at RIT (Rangoon Institute of Technology).
He retired as Associate Professor.
When a bootlicker asked him to end his class to pay respect to a visiting Taing Hmu, he continued teaching. A post about the event caused some alumni (who did not know him) to donate to his medical expenses fund.
He and Saya U Tin Shwe (EP66) passed away about the same time. They are GBNF (Gone But Not Forgotten).
They are remembered by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) in his Kabyar (poem) “To the Shwe Duo”.
SHWE duo Blossom in unison Disappear together Free from complaint Even with thin breath Showed mark [of courage and wisdom] Never ever wavered … Pressed by burden At the awaited turn [of journey’s end] Body — inheritance [from previous lives] Succumbs [to failing health] Yet, “Wei-nyin” is fresh, alive and hovering.
** Notes
* K K Wong / Sein Myint wrote :
He is a Straight forward guy, also jolly guy.
A lot of our Batch guys are Straight Forward Guys. I saw Some Guys still wanting to Lift Balls.
When you are A Straight Forward Guy, better prepare your loopholes or at least One Good Loop Hole.
Then you can say, don’t worry be happy!!!
* Sai Kyaw Myint wrote :
He was much similar like me in the manner
of against proud group. No one is above the law.
* Saya U Moe Aung gave me some of his works.
One was a collection of his poems.
Another was a collection of his articles.
I translated selected poems and articles.
* Saya and four other RIT poets — Okpo Maung Yin Maung, Maung Nyunt Htay (Ah Htet Min Hla), Ko Toee (Myit Che) and Win Myint (M72, Kabyaung) published poems related to Swel Daw Yeik.
HlaMin 