Category: Sad News

  • Pauk Si Hla Min (CO, UCC)

    CO (Back row, 2nd from Right)

    Nickname

    He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1964. His friends called him Pauk Si. His father lent money to a Pauk Si vendor who would not repay back in cash, so he ate Pauk Si as time and energy permitted.

    Education & Experience

    He graduated with Electrical Engineering in 1970.

    He joined UCC as Chief Operator and was called CO.

    He studied in the UK. He met his Daw Tin Win, who was attending Advanced Nurse Training.

    Untimely Demise

    He was healthy. He would often wear just sports shirt in the air-conditioned Computer Room.

    He passed away unexpectedly in his mid-30s. His Paulian classmate Dr. Min Lwin examined him and found out the severity of CO’s medical condition.

    Tone Kyaw

    When CO passed away, two government training schools (where I had lectured) thought that I had passed away and offered to send me wreaths. U Moe Hein (Ajala, ChE69) took leave from work to attend my Last Journey.

    Notes

    • Hla Min (Pauk Si) and La Min (Lushwin Daw) are both Paulians and EE70.
    • A young Hla Min (Ko Pauk) worked for U Win Htein (PWD, GBNF). He was injured while jumping on to a boat.
    • Tone Kyaw = some one who is wrongly believed to have passed away.
    • There are at least three Tone Kyaw.
    • UnHan Sein (C69) became a Tone Kyaw when he was inadvertently listed in the GBNF List of 69ers. The compilers were unaware that he was sentenced 20 years by a Kangaroo Court. He was released after 17 years. He lost his family.
    • Saya Dr. Tin Hlaing (M63, Singapore) became a Tone Kyaw when Dr. Tin Hlaing (Former Principal of Maritime studies) passed away in Singapore. Some RIT alumni wrongly posted the news.
    • Emma Myint wrote : Such a waste of a talented man. my sis was weak in Maths. He taught her for 2 weeks and she got D. altogether she got 4 D.
  • Tin Maung Lay (M69)

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Soul Mate

    He found his love Margaret when he visited his former classmate and friend U Kyaw Sint (Edward Tai, T69er, Tennis & Soccer, GBNF) in Southern California. She is the younger sister of Elizabeth (GBNF, spouse of U Kyaw Sint) and a cousin of U Tun Aung (Jeffery, EC68, GBNF).

    Long Separation

    He moved to California, but spent most of his time working abroad (in Europe and Middle East). He came back home only for the breaks.

    Since they are well off and did not have children, a suggestion to retire was made.

    Final Trip

    He agreed to retire, but his boss & friend asked him for a final trip to train / handover.

    He passed away unexpectedly — before he could retire — on a Friday (which was Sabbath & Holiday in the country). His company tried its best to have his body flown back to California.

    He was a Health Enthusiast and worked out daily. Kyaw Sint was also health conscious. Both were felled by Byadi ဗျာဓိ and Marana မရဏ. May they rest in peace.

  • U Po Kyaw Myint (Bur)

    • He taught Burmese at Rangoon University.
    • He wrote books / articles with the pen name မြန်စာဂုဏ် ကျော်မြင့်
    • He was a Thaing Saya.
    • A bus caught his rain coat. He passed away.
  • Ko Soe Paing (C, Singapore)

    • I met him at the houses of Ko Kyaw Kyaw Moe / Ma Pale & Ko Zaw Tun / Ma Kyu.
    • He passed away unexpectedly during a Company Trip to Indonesia. He did not show up at a meeting.
    • He caught Covid, but the cause of his demise was not confirmed (at the time of this writing).
    • He had plans to retire and spend some time practicing Vipassana meditation.
    • Death is certain, but most people do not know where and when they will rest in peace.
  • Ko Aung Khin (RUBC)

    On the evening of 7th July, 1962 Ko Aung Khin headed back home along Inya Road from RUBC (Rangoon University Boat) to his home in Windermere Road.

    He was hit by a stray bullet and passed away.

    He was listed as the 17th victim of the 7th July Incident in the newspapers.

  • P-E-T-E-R

    One of ten sketches drawn by Peter in 1981 to illustrate his aunt’s thesis

    P Peter (NHS Hero) paid a high price for misguided policies and guidelines
    E Envisioned retirement to spend quality time with his extended family
    T Talented Doctor, Gourmet Chef, Sketch and Oil Painter — to name a few
    E Educated and/or entertained aspiring medical specialists far and near
    R Real irreparable loss to patients, friends, family and community

    Tribute

    P Pote Pote Kyee (see “Cho Cho Hlaing”)
    E Enthusiastic learner and practitioner (see “Aung Jee”)
    T Took care of parents of relatives, patients and friends (see “Min Ko”)
    E Ever smiling and helpful (see “Ye Myint”)
    R Rural doctor with a huge heart (see “Vicky Bowman)

    85th Birthday of Ma Cherry (Peter’s mom)
    Zoom gathering for offering Dana in memory of Peter
  • Dr. Pe Nyun

    Rangoon University was closed for three years during the war.

    When RU reopened in 1946, three children of U San Pe : Dick / Pe Nyun, Tom / Pe Thein and their older sister attended together.

    The two brothers represented RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club) at the 1948 Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi and became RUBC Gold.

    U Pe Nyun (GBNF) served as Secretary and later as Captain of RUBC.

    He was Chief Pediatric Surgeon at Rangoon Children’s Hospital. He led the team that operated on Ma Nan Soe and Ma Nan San.

    After retirement, he moved to Canada.

    He is GBNF.

    U Pe Thein (GBNF) was Professor at the Institute of Medicine, and later Minister of Health and Education.

    ** Notes

    * The two are maternal uncles of Saya U Tu Myint (Winston, M), who taught at RIT and Singapore Polytechnic.

    * The other crew members are U Tin U (elder brother of Saya U Ba Than, Most Senior and Oldest Past Captain of RUBC) and U Khin Maung Wint (Bobby Tin, son of Architect U Tin).

  • Rimon Than, Dr.

    by Hla Min

    Updated : May 2025

    Dr. Rimon Than is the elder son of U Maung Maung Kyi (SPHS63, ChE / Pulp & Paper from Dresden University) and Daw Khin May Than (ChE72).

    He is a medical doctor, mountaineer, Squadron Leader of RAF and Head of Rescue Team (e.g for mountaineers).

    He passed away in an avalanche.

    His parents, who had landed in Yangon for a visit in a long time, had to return to Wales to attend the last journey.

    BBC covered the sad news.

  • Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (EP74)

    Dr. Htay Lwin Nyo (SPHS68) was admitted to 1st BE as Roll No (1) and was selected Luyechun.

    He completed EP at RIT, MSc(CS) at UCC and Doctorate in Electrical Engineering at Syracuse University, New York.

    He won a patent. His last assignment was as Professor of EE at SJSU (San Jose State University).

    He told his friends and students that he would retire to pursue his hobbies : writing scripts, repairing vintage cars, unconventional recipes for cooking.

    He never missed his lectures at SJSU. When he did not show up a couple of times, the students were worried and inquired about him at the Department & University Offices.

    The Sad Saga had been told in the BAPS Newsletter, RIT Alumni Newsletter, RIT website and my personal website hlamin.com

    I also wrote a poem “HTAY LWIN NYO”.

    I had the honor to push the button of the incinerator and to help scatter his ashes in the Santa Cruz waters.

    HlaMin
  • U Win Paing (ChE70) / U Wara

    U Win Paing (ChE70) matriculated from St. Paul’s High School in 1964.

    He won several Golf Tournaments at RGC and BGC. His younger brother U Kyaw Paing played in the Putra Cup.

    He became a monk (along with U Aung Min) the day after taking the final exam. Saya U Aung (C70) wrote a post about him.

    U Wara

    U Wara served as Taik Oke Sayadaw for about four decades at Kaba Aye Sunlun Gu Kyaw. He finally became Chief Resident Sayadaw when U Vinaya passed away in his late 90s.

    He conducted Meditation Retreats and also went on Dhamma Duta Missions.

    ** Notes

    * He is the third son of ICS U Paing and Daw Oo Yin.

    Daw Oo Yin’s parents are Sir Po Tha and Lady Tha.

    * All brothers — Dr. Myo Paing, U Soe Paing, U Win Paing, U Kyaw Paing — play Golf.

    * Saya U Soe Paing (UCC) volunteered as Golf Correspondent for Guardian and/or Working People’s Daily.

    I typed some of the Golf news.

    KMZ would take some reports to the Newspaper office.