Aidir & Noerjati Sani

They would raise a family, Andy ('62), Melly ('64), and Nina (74), a future architect, a physician and teacher, respectively. Tragically, they would lose a set of twins in ('66). Papa recounted haw he held one of them for on hour. The decade of the 1970's had milestones as both Aidir and Yetty would become naturalized citizens of the United States in 1972. Aidir received his M.A. in 1974. In 1973, Aidir and Yetty happily began sponsoring family members from Indonesia to come to the beacon that is America. Having our dear aunts, uncles and cousins with us in Monterey County would add another dimension to our idyllic lives in California. As proud as Aidir was of his three children, his six grandchildren, Amanda, Nathan, Ashley, Amber, Aaron and Annabelle brought him even more joy, satisfaction and meaning to his life.

If Yetty kept us grounded, Aidir let us shoot for the stars. Yet+y s pragmatism worked well with Aidir's optimism. Aidir was one of those people who was gregarious and never met a person he didn't like. He saw not only the potential in most people he encountered, but also the possible greatness we ore all capable of. His effect on his children is a fountainhead that permeates through to his grandchildren and will surely continue for generations. Like Prometheus and fire, Aidir was sparked by intellect and timing and without a doubt captured that fire. A fire filled with love, humility and finesse.

We would be remiss if we did not leave you with famous quotes from our dear papa. If you were lucky enough to meet our loving dad, you were often greeted with:

"Are you a movie star?"

"You are a gentleman and a scholar"

"You are more handsome than Tom Cruise!"

Lastly, a quote from Mayo Angelou which embodies our popo and his interactions with those around him.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Thank you, Popa for making us all feel seen and heard.

Papa, we love you so very much; the depths of our pain and longing,

is counterbalanced knowing you are reunited with our loving mama for

all eternity.

Our beloved father, Professor Emeritus, Aidir Soni passed away peacefully in his sleep in San Diego, California, the early morning of June 19th, 2023, the day after Father's Day. He was 88 years old and would have turned 89 this coming July.

The second son and third child of a prominent educator and school teacher/ homemaker, he was one of eleven children. He was born on a small island in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), off the straits of Northeastern Sumatra and Singapore in 1934. He was full Sumatran on both sides with Sumatran roots that go back through millennia. A wunderkind, he left home at 17 on motorbike to complete his secondary education ot a specialized school in Jogjakarta. Upon graduation he would enter the University of Indonesia in Djakarta.

In 1956 he would receive his Baccalaureate of Law and commence what he presumed would be the start of a career as a young lawyer. At this point, fate would intervene in that a representative from America (Cl.A.) would change the direction of his life forever. He was offered a teaching position at the U.S. Embassy in Djakarta right then and there. Adding to Aidir's fate he would be offered two compelling positions in early 1959. One was at Cornell University in New York State, the other at the U.S. Army Language School (later known as the Defense Language Institute) at the Presidio of Tvlonterey, California. Upon advisement of his US Embassy American students, knowing Aidir was an avid tennis player, they strongly suggested he accept the position in California, where tennis could be ployed daily. But before leaving for the United States he had one thing left to do ... and that was to ask a beautiful biology major by the name of Noerjati Oemor for her hand in marriage.

They would be married on December 28th, 1960 in Djakarta, Indonesia and eight hours later, Aidir, was on o jet-plane to America. Noerjati "Yetty" would have to stay back as she was in her last year at the University of Indonesia. She would join Aidir in America in 1961. They would settle in Pacific Grove, California on the Tvlonterey Peninsula and begin living their American dream.