Children : Myo Nyunt (SPHS), San San Kyaw (UCC), …
U Kyaw
Dr. U Win
Attended UCC courses
Doctorate from USA
Water Resources
GIS
Dr. U Win
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
U Kyaw – father of Daw San San Kyaw, ex-UCC.
Dr. U Win – first met him when he attended six-month class at UCC. We frequently hang out at the canteens at RASU. Rekindle our friendship here in US, talked to him on the logins several times, yet to meet him face-to-face, hopefully some day soon.
Updates
There are several posts about Geography sayas & students in the RU Centennial FB group
Registrar, Rangoon University Helped the establishment of RC (Recreation Center)
Former Warden, Prome Hall known for excellent Soccer teams
Later moved to Bagan Road Residence
After retirement from RU, he was offered lucrative job as Consultant in several countries. He opted to stay in Burma and found IFL (Institute of Foreign Languages).
Spouse : Dr. Daw Phay who was close to Dr. Daw Yin May and helped deliver Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint (Johnny Kyaw Myint), U Htin Kyaw (Peter Wun) and several others.
Children : Dr. Marie Yu Khin (Medical doctor in Australia, GBNF) Dr. Richard Yu Khin (Economist in USA, GBNF) …
Richard Yu Khin
Highlights
Matriculated from MEHS in 1961
Also passed GCE
Represented Rangoon University & Burma in 1961 SEAP Games held in Rangoon. Teamed up with U Maung Maung Lwin (Jamie, Commodore of Rangoon Sailing Club, Olympian weightlifter, Publisher) to win a Gold Medal in Yachting.
Left RU before graduation to pursue studies in the USA.
Doctorate in Economics from Yale University.
Lived in Dallas, Texas.
Had two Facebook pages : one for Personal, another for Sailing
Now GBNF
Contributions
Shared a photo of the Rangoon University Athletes who represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games held in Rangoon in December 1961.
Commented on my post on Swimming. A Japanese coach trained selected swimmers led by Tin Maung Ni and including Richard Yu Khin.
Commented on my post on Matriculates. Provided information about top MEHS matriculates.
Posted about former sayas and students of MEHS.
Posted a photo of Pagan and Sagaing Road residents. Children of U Yu Khin, U Wun (Minthuwun), U Thein Han (Zawgyi) and U Myo Min (English Professor) became Ph.Ds, medical doctors and professors.
Richard Yu Khin’s Post (in 2018)
If you have spare time visit “Hla Min” Facebook page which provides excellent & amazing historical information of my generation. I have for years been trying to find information about Ko Ba Min who kindly met me at the helicopter landing site when I arrived at Berkeley, California in August 1963. I was trying to decide whether to attend UC-Berkeley or Yale. I stayed a week in Berkeley, 4 days at the International House and 3 days at Ko Ba Min’s apartment because I became home-sick. Every one there told me to choose Yale. Ko Ba Min then was studying for a Master’s degree in Mathematics at UC-Berkeley. I have often wondered what happened to Ko Ba Min. On “Hla Min” website I found out Ko Ba Min returned to Burma to teach Mathematics and Astronomy and then resigned for medical reasons. Thank you for that information. During my teenage years Ko Ba Min and Peter Kyaw Sein would frequently visit Pagan Road to view the belles of our neighborhood.
____
At Berkeley I met Dr. U Myint (later Economic Advisor to President Thein Sein) who was preparing to defend his PhD dissertation and a Burma state scholar studying for PhD in physics or chemistry. Miss Cobb who is a friend of my aunt when she attended UC-Berkeley in 1950 took me on a tour of San Francisco. She told me to visit her cousin who was the Chaplain at Yale University. Reverend Coffin later became leader of the anti-Vietnam War movement in USA.
Comments
Oak Soe Kha wrote : Lived at Pagan Road as well, opposite Richard’s house. We are childhood friends, hanging out in the University campus. My father (Dr. Maung Maung Kha) and uncle Yu Khin worked close together. Apart from us, U Aung Khin (Chemistry), U Ba Nyunt (Chit Doke Kha, History) were residents of Pagan Road also. Professor U Myo Min (English) lived on Sagaing Road, as did Dr. Htin Aung (Rector) and not Pagan Road.
Ko Ba Min matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1956. He studied Maths and Astronomy at University of California at Berkeley. After returning from USA, he stayed with his brother in the Port Commissioner Quarters in Windermere Crescent (off Inya Road). Played records (such as Peter, Paul and Mary; Joan Baez) that he brought back from the USA. He taught at Rangoon University and Mandalay University. When he was transferred to Myitkyina College, he resigned citing his health. He ran a shop in Zay Cho. Japanese tourists were surprised and delighted to find out that Ko Ba Min studied with their professor at Berkeley. They took photos of Ko Ba Min to show to their professor.
U Kyaw Sein is an early graduate from Rangoon University (in 1928). He served as Chief Engineer of National Housing Board. Children : Peter Kyaw Sein (GBNF), Victor Kyaw Sein, Ruby Kyaw Sein …
Updates
Some RU Students who represented Burma at the 2nd SEAP Games are GBNF. They include Kyaw Mra and Richard Yu Khin.
Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie, spouse of Marie) passed away in Australia.
Children : Saya Dr. Tin Maung and Sayama Daw Thein.
U Aung Hla
(18/Apr/1896 to 13/Dec/1983)
Passed away at the age of 88.
Professor of Maths, RU
Dean of Arts, RU
Accomplished musician
Annotated 25 Burmese songs.
Spouse : Daw May Than was a nationally known singer.
Son : U Mya Than played the lead guitar & piano.
U Po Thon
(27/Jul/1899 to 23/Nov/1982)
Passed away at the age of 84.
Pyinnya Mingyi ပညာမင်းကြီး
Supervised & published Maths texts for use in schools.
U Net
(15/Jan/1918 to 26/Feb/2003)
Passed away at the age of 86.
Professor of Maths, MASU
Feather of Daw Khin Mar Mar (Physics & UCC) & grandfather of Wunna Ko Ko, webmaster of second RIT web site.
U Ba Toke
(26/Dec/1920 to 2/Dec/2020)
Book
Phwa Bet Taw ဖွားဘက်တော် of “Rangoon University” and “First RU Student Boycott” (which is celebrated as “Ah Myo Tha Aung Pwe Nay” အမျိုးသားအောင်ပွဲနေ့ )
Professor of Maths, RASU
Rector, MASU
Professor of Maths, RIT
Vice Chair of Maths, Assumption University
Mandalay University Soccer Selected
Chinlon expert
Vice chair, RU Sports Council
Led the Burmese Olympic team to Tokyo in 1964.
Gave interviews (three C-90 tapes) and documents (4 files) to Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (Tekkatho Maung Thin Char). The book was published in April 2010 & was distributed on Sayagyi’s 90th birthday.
Updates
Many sayas — including those mentioned in the post are GBNF.
Other GBNF sayas include Dr. Chit Swe, Dr. Tin Maung, Dr. Saw Tin, Dr. Khin Maung Win, U Tin Hlaing, U Sein Min, U Ko Lay & U Aung Sein
After graduation, he worked as Systems Engineer for IBM (International Business Machines) Burma, which rented / leased Unit Record Machines to selected Government Departments.
Later moved to USA
Retired from Montgomery County in Maryland
Posts
Demonetization of K100 Note
Do you believe in luck?
My Barber
My Life Journey
My Stories
Aunt
Uncle & Aunt
Taught at Psychology Department at Rangoon University
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.
U Ba Than usually visits and pay homage to his saya U Ba Toke at least once every year.
Both are our Sayagyis.
January 2017
Pansy (Thynn Thynn, ChE 74) asked her daughter & son-in-law to pick up Saya U Ba Than (86 years), Saya U Tin Htut (79 years) and me to see her father Sayagyi U Ba Toke (96 years).
Sayagyi has some problems with mobility & vision, but his mind remains crisp & clear.
He was born on Dec 26, 1920. Rangoon University opened on Dec 1, 1929. They are “Phwa Bet Taws”.
Sayagyi deferred celebrating his birthday so that three of his grandchildren abroad could come back & join the celebration.
Sayagyi is pre-deceased by his beloved spouse, daughter (Kitty) and son (Soe Win).
He has six remaining children : Betty, Ye Myint, Nellie, Pansy, Tammy & Debbie
Pansy has offered transportation (within Rangoon) to Sayas who want to visit her father
Book
Book
A detailed account of Sayagyi has been covered by Saya Dr. Khin Maung Swe (“Maung Thin Char”).
I received an autographed copy during a previous visit. The book may need a reprint.
Memories
SPZP-2000
Ko Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) donated a roundtrip ticket to invite a Saya from Myanmar to attend SPZP-2000.
Debbie (Saya’s youngest daughter) relayed Saya’s wish to attend SPZP-2000.
Ko Zaw Min Nawaday (EP70) offered accommodation for Saya, Ko Ye Myint & spouse.
Several sayas and alumni donated towards Saya’s expenses for the trip. Some offered to show Saya around the SF Bay Area.
SPZP-2000SF Bay Area
SPZP-2007
Saya was asked about Longevity.
Saya recounted his experience in USSR. The host said, “Do not worry about the noise upstairs. It’s my 100+ years young uncle quarreling with his fourth wife. They will make peace soon”.
SPZP-2012 & 2016
Saya needed assistance to attend the SPZPs.
Even some younger Sayas needed wheelchair.
RU Centennial
Due to pandemic, most events were broadcast or held online.
Saya passed away on Dec 2, 2020 — the day after the RU Centennial.
GBNF
Sayagyi U Ba Toke passed away a few days short of his Centennial birthday
I felt uncomfortable to be addressed as “Ah Ba”, “Pho Pho” and to be offered assistance (e.g. wheelchair).
I now feel OK to use wheelchair at air ports and to have people assist me when I climb up & down hill slopes. I had a couple of bike rides on dirt roads.
I enjoy senior discounts for trains, buses & restaurants.
I hope that my mental faculties will remain sharp and strong.
Jara (old age) caught even the sport stars like Sayagyi U Ba Toke.
Sayagyi U Ba Toke
Phwa Bet Taw
Saya is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University and the first Rangoon University Students’ Strike in December 1920.
SPZP-2000
In 2000, Theingi (Saya’s youngest daughter) conveyed us Saya’s wishes to attend SPZP-2000. U Maung Maung Than (M79, Texas) had donated a round trip ticket. Several sayas & alumni donated expenses. Details can be found in “Count down to the Reunion” articles.
SPZP-2000
Birthdays
Saya 2
He celebrates his birthdays with his children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
Saya‘s birthday
Longevity
Saya gave a speech in SPZP-2007 about “Longevity”. He visited a house in USSR where the 80+ year old host explained about the noise up stairs. “Don’t worry. It’s my 100+ year old uncle quarelling with his fourth wife. They will make amends.”
Garawa
During my visits to Yangon, I paid respect to Saya.
U Ohn Khine (M70) gave me a ride in 2012. Saya gave us autographed book. We enjoyed Sayagyi’s accounts. He was a football star, a leader of the Burma Olympic Delegation, and an excellent teacher. Up to his early 80s, he could walk to the Shwe Dagon pagoda with his friends. In his 90s, Sayagyi lost some mobility, eye sight and hearing, but he was determined to attend SPZPs.
Book
In 2016, Saya’s son U Ye Myint and daughter Daw Thynn Thynn (Pansy) made arrangements to give us rides to and back from Saya’s house.
U Ba Toke
In 2018, I called Ma Theingi and asked about Sayagyi. She mentioned that Sayagyi is healthy but because he had lost most teeth, she has to listen carefully to grasp his message.
Saya passed away on December 2, 2020. It was the day after RI U Centennial. It was a few days short of his Centennial Birthday on December 26.
HlaMin 