Eulogy for Soon Beng

To my dear friend Soon Beng,

These are some heart felt words that everyone present today would agree with me.

Throughout the years I’ve known him, he has always been my mentor, my advisor, a brother, a listening ear and someone close to all our hearts, just like the rojak he likes to eat.

I’m sure he would not approve of this little speech I’m giving as it might be too long-winded for his liking, but I must do this great and upright man justice and solaces, so I’ll go on.

He is a man with very strong principles, full of integrity. I still remember one incident where the two of us were suppose to meet for tea and I was late. He went home and avoided me for three weeks, after which he finally decided to lecture this young man, on punctuality and its importance. It wasn’t so much of wanting to be on time in the future, it was rather the friendship between us that I treasured so much that led me to change, and if not for him, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Cleanliness and hygiene was also on top of his list and he used to have this little quote, “My bike is like my underwear, and I like my underwear clean!” Such are the jokes and times we shared with everyone at the coffee shop we affectionally named café ‘851’.

He was also someone who never compromises his friend’s happiness; always striving for a win-win result in all kinds of situation, whether it was his own or his friend's.

One could easily say he has his flaws, but he was a unique individual who is aware of it, neither shying from the fact and always seeking ways to improve himself and people around him, to us near to perfection as humanly possible.

This speech wouldn’t be very complete without the praise of his safety and skill in taming anything on two wheels. Not only was he adept in imitating moves we watch in motorbike video tapes, he was always willing to guide greenhorns like me, in motor biking at the time I knew him and prove to everyone what he says could be done.

No doubt all of us are saddened by the loss of this special person called Lim Soon Beng or otherwise known as Pui Boy to his “team-mates” at ‘851’, we should be glad we managed to cross paths with him and he would forever remain in our hearts, lighting up our mood whenever we’re down. That would have been the way he wanted it to be.

May riding gods be with you Beng.

~ Friend Eric ~