Obituary

Roesmin Noerjadin, who served as transportation minister between 1978 and 1988, died yesterday while on a trip to Bandung, according to a relative in Jakarta. He was 63 years old.

His body was flown from Bandung to Jakarta last night.

Roesmin had an illustrious career both in the military and in the government, including in the diplomatic service, up until his retirement in 1988.

Retiring from the Air Force as a full marshal, he served as Indonesian ambassador in Britain in 1970-74 and in the United States in 1974-78.

Afterwards, he was recruited by President Soeharto to serve in the cabinet for two successive terms.

He joined the Indonesian military as a consequence of his participation at TRIP, a students militia, during the height of the independence struggle against the Dutch colonial government. He belonged to the elite Third Detachment's 17th Brigade.

After the end of the struggle, Roesmin enlisted in the Air Force's pilot school. He quickly proved his capability and, in 1953, he took charge of the force's third squadron.

He reached his peak in the military career when he was appointed as minister/chief of the staff of the Air Force in 1966-70. Before then, he served as the Air Force attache, first in Bangkok and later in Moscow. (pwn/emb)