Blog

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).

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 (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.

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 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.

Saya U Kyaw Sein (M65) taught Drawing at RIT.

He later taught AutoCAD.

He was Moderator of two Facebook Groups related to RIT and Engineering.

He archived Pon Tu’s of sayas and sayamas (by Bagyee Myat Myo Myint). Saya U Tin Lin (ChE72) annotated the Pon Tu’s.

He matriculated from St. John’s Dio and posted about the school magazine.

He passed away in Singapore.

** Notes

* He was known as U Kyaw Sein (1).

Dr. Kyaw Sein (M65) was earlier known as U Kyaw Sein (2).

* He was a regular attendee at Singapore Oldies’ gatherings.

Dr. San Tint taught until retirement as Professor and Head of Electronics Engineering Department (also known as EC).

He played on the Saya Soccer team.

He served as External Examiner at UCC.

He attended SPZP-2000 with the sponsorship of former students and also visited Seattle and New York.

He received donations for the Book Drive and Jivitadana Hospital.

He had Stroke which affected the mobility of his right side. He practiced writing with his left hand.

Sadly he passed away. His nephew U Hlaing Myint (UCC) was by his side during the final days.

His former students helped schools & projects in his memory via Pyinnya Dana Foundation.

Saya Dr. Win Thein graduated with Civil Engineering in 1958.

He retired as Professor and Head of Civil Engineering.

He had medical checkup and treatment in Bangkok and Yangon.

Former colleagues and students donated to his medical expenses fund. They also provided health status reports.

He lost mobility in the final months and passed away peacefully.

** Notes

* The early Professor & Head of Civil Engineering include :

U Ba Hli,

U Mya Han,

Dr. Aung Gyi,

U Min Wun

* C58 members include :

Saya Allen Htay (GBNF),

Saya Dr. San Hla Aung,

Oscar Sharazee,

U Khin Maung Win (Sid Chen, GBNF)

He matriculated from St. Albert’s High School.

He is soft spoken.

He is a regular at 69er Gatherings.

The pandemic claimed him and his spouse.

** Notes

* A69ers often play Chinlon.

Olive (the lone female) would join the game.

* U Thet Tun left for overseas.

* U Aung Khin and his spouse Daw Tin Tin Hla (A70) retired from Botswana and moved to Seattle, Washington, USA to be near their daughters and grandchildren.

* Uzin Bobby Myo Tun is an itinerant teacher.

He is among those who passed away in recent years (mostly during the pandemic).

He is a Heartian (alumnus of Sacred Heart High School) along with U Tin Aung Win (Oscar, M69), U Than Htut (Harry, Mon Yu, M69) and U Win Boh (Robert, EC69).

He is the younger brother of Saya S. Kyaw Aye (GBNF).

Members of 69er HCF tried to provide support to the families of the fallen 69ers.