Memorial Bench

I had the honor of designing and building a memorial bench for a close friend of my sons, Colin. Colin's very unfortunate accident was a tremendous blow to the surfing community. He had many friends. He was always helping younger kids learn to surf, giving them a hand whenever they needed it. He was a good guy, and his death at the young age of 32 was very sad for all who knew him.

So when his parents commissioned me to design and build a memorial bench to be placed overlooking the ocean at his favorite surf spot, Seaside, (North end of Solana Beach) I gladly said I would. The process not only involved getting approval from Colin's family, but from the Parks Department as well, because this bench was to be installed on public property.

I needed to use some really indestructible materials because it would sit on a low bluff next to the surf that sometimes would break over the bench. I chose cast bronze for the bases and solid teak for the bench.

In keeping with the ocean theme, I carved a kelp design in wax on the bases before they were cast in bronze. The teak seat and back were carved with an undulating surface and the top edge is of a wave starting to break. A plaque with his name was placed on the bench so that anyone sitting on this bench would know it was made for a special person. This was a joint effort with me and my son Tim, as Colin meant so much to the both of us.

I also designed a native coastal plant garden that is next to the bench that many of Colin's friends helped to install. It was a great project for me and for all of Colin's friends to be involved in. Below are some more pictures of this bench. 

Above: Friends working on Colin's Memorial Garden of native plants.

Above: This picture was taken a while after installation, the bronze bases have patinaed over time.