By Bridget Barton

It is with sadness that I think about Benny’s passing. I first met Benny when I was sent to Malili to be ‘looked over ‘ to see whether I was a suitable person to teach the small group of children that belonged to the geologists. Ray Burkhart and Benny were in-charge of this small geologists camp in Malili. Benny was a man held in high regard by all those who worked with him.

Benny was a great supporter of the school during its years of development from the early days in Malili through to its expansion in Soroako.

Benny was responsible for making a number of crucial decisions for the Indonesian children in the school. I trusted Benny’s decisions and had a huge personal respect for him. He was a gentleman, a man of great honour and integrity and a man that had the ability to bring together a diverse group of people across a range of cultural differences.

My experiences in Indonesia were greatly enriched by Benny.