Beni Nurtjahja Wahju (Beni) was born in Depok, West Java on May 10th, 1934, he spent his early childhood in Cirebon and Indramayu.
1955 finished high school in Bogor
1955 started study in University of Indonesia – Geology
1961 graduated from Institute Technology of Bandung and started working in Directorat Geology in Bandung
1962 – 1964 studied in Colorodo School of Mines, USA
1964 January 10th, Married to Soffie Hendrawati Soemawidjaja in Washington, DC
1966 Assigned by Directorat Geology to various places in Sulawesi
1968 Started working for PT Inco in Sulawesi
1992 Pensioned from PT Inco and started working for PT Inco Gold (then PT Vale Explorasi)
2010 December 31. Pensioned from PT Vale Explorasi
2012 January 21. Passed away in Pondok Indah Hospital, 11 days after celebrating 48 years wedding anniversary
Tribute to the Pioneer 
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. 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.
Mohamad Tauchid