By Mohamad Tauchid

Today I typed his name and was shocked to learn that my dear and rare friend passed away in January 2012. My wife and I were planning to visit Indonesia in December’11. Unfortunately the trip had to be postponed to 2013. Other than visiting families, the one old friend that we wanted to visit was Beni and Soffie.

We were, together with the late Karmijuni Pratignyo-Nixon and the late Agus Suparman, were good friends during our student years at ITB. Despite of our separate paths, planned or unplanned, that many viewed me as a black sheep, Beni always regarded me as his close friend. A feeling that I valued very much. We were always in touch and took every opportunity to get together where occasions permitted.

Words failed me in expressing how much I will miss my dear and true friend Beni. However, the memory of having such a friend will remain with me to the end my days.

My wife Gisele and I would like to express our condolences to Soffie and her extended family. We hope to be in touch with Soffie the next time we are in Indonesia.