Grief is felt by Universitas Gadjah Mada academic community. One of its best sons has passed away. He was Drs. Ahmad Adaby Darban, S.U, who was known as one historian from UGM. Chairman of the Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, died at the age of 59 on Sunday, November 6th, 2011 at 07.00 shortly before the Eid al-Adha prayers at the North Square of Yogyakarta.
Prof. Dr. Djoko Suryo said the deceased was known as a lecturer and colleague who carried out his duties with full faith. Department of History lost its best son, “UGM expressed its gratitude and deep condolences for the dedication that he had given," said Djoko Suryo in remarks representing the Faculty in a last memorial ceremony at the Kauman Great Mosque, Sunday afternoon.
Djoko Suryo added that all the behaviors and ideas of the deceased in his life should become a role model for colleagues and students. "Mr. Adaby Darban, we say good-bye to you. You have already done your job well. All colleagues and your students will continue your ideals," he said.
H. Budi Setiawan representing the family said that in the past month the deceased was able to walk by himself, no longer using a wheelchair. Although using a stick, during the month of fasting, Adaby Darban remained actively engaged in night prayers and the Quran reading. "Despite the (motorcycle) accident), he still did not decrease his activities, he often read Quran and did night prayers at the Kauman mosque," he sobbed.
Ahmad Adaby Darban who was born in Yogyakarta, February 25, 1952, was educated in Ngupasan Muhammadiyah elementary school, Muhammadiyah I Yogyakarta Junior High School, and State Senior High School 4 Yogyakarta. He went through higher education in the UGM Faculty of Literature and Culture until graduating in 1980. The deceased is survived by his wife, Hj. Indah Kusniati, and five children, Ika Fatikah, Rafiqa Hajar, Ma'rifatul Mujahidah, Ahmad Al-Rozi Makky, and Syarifah Hanum.