'Larger than life memorial'

COEUR d’ALENE — For Brent Schreiber, the Dwight Bershaw memorial bench going in at the base of Tubbs Hill on Wednesday was a perfect tribute.

“The guy was larger than life and he’s getting a larger-than-life memorial,” said Schreiber, owner of Clearwater Summit Group, Inc., where Bershaw worked for about 25 years as a landscape architect and project manager.

Bershaw died Aug. 20, 2021, at the age of 54. He was known for his love of Coeur d’Alene, hiking Tubbs Hill and picking up trash, and giving his time and talents to beautify the city. Some considered him a professional volunteer and the city’s most valuable unpaid employee.

He was a popular member of the Coeur d’Alene Sunrise Rotary Club and contributed much to its philanthropic efforts.

“He was such a good guy and did so much,” said Sandy Emerson, Sunrise Rotary Club member.

A small crowd gathered to watch as Clearwater Summit Group worked on the Dwight Bershaw area at the south side of McEuen Park on a cloudy afternoon.

It will feature four basalt columns to represent Bershaw, his wife Ali, son Chance and daughter Marissa. It will also include a granite table and benches — where the American Legion scoreboard once stood.

Dwight played American Legion ball and his father, Jim Bershaw, umpired games there. Dwight loved watching games there before it gave way to McEuen Park.

Bershaw’s in-laws of nearly 25 years, Nick and Alice Arambarri of Coeur d’Alene, watched the park’s progress on Wednesday.

“We are so thrilled that this is being done in his memory, because he loved this community so much,” Alice Arambarri said.

She said Bershaw had a big personality and was a great husband and father.

“We just loved him,” she said.

The project’s cost is estimated at $40,000. It is being funded by the Sunrise Rotary Club, family and friends. Clearwater Summit donated its efforts.

Work is expected to wrap up soon. Sunrise Rotary Club members are scheduled to plant native species there on Tuesday.

Emerson said it promises to be a peaceful and inspiring place — exactly what Bershaw would have wanted.

“He used to love to come to McEuen Park and plan his day, early in the mornings,” Emerson said.

Alice Arambarri said Dwight loved sunrises.

“This is wonderful they are honoring him this way,” she said. “His family appreciates it so much.”

Editor's note: This story has been edited to reflect that the area honoring Dwight Bershaw should be referred to as a memorial bench rather than a pocket park.