Dear Soffie

Andree and I and Michelle and Allan send our deepest condolences at your loss. We learned from Sinta and Nina of the passing of Pak Beni. I contacted several people in Canada who may not have been aware. We are in Florida and did not have your home number or email with us.

Such a loss for you and your family. Such a loss to all of his friends and colleagues. Pak Beni was a true inspiration to me and a good friend who helped me to understand and to work with success amongst the complexities of the cultures throughout Indonesia in our days at PTI and Ingold. I shared with Pak Beni his sense of eternal optimism in his dear country even during the difficult times. Patience, honesty, integrity, humour and a balance of work and family life were some of the highlights I remember of Pak Beni. I also remember his pride for being the first professional in the mining industry to be given an international award by the environmental group The Nature Conservancy – justly deserved.

We hope in the coming days your friends and family can provide you the comfort in this time of grief. Our thoughts are with you.

With love and sympathy for the loss of a dearly loved pioneer.

Bob and Andree