'That's just the way he was'

COEUR d'ALENE — As he reached the homestretch of the Dwight Bershaw Memorial .5K run Saturday, Mike Dolan stopped at the Dwight Bershaw memorial area at the base of Tubbs Hill. 

Yes, he remembered Dwight Bershaw quite well. 

He remembered him as a boisterous, fun man who loved doing good for others and the city of Coeur d’Alene. He was known for walking his dog early mornings and picking up litter as he went.  

Many knew him as the city’s “unofficial mayor.”

“That’s just the way he was,” Dolan said. “A phenomenal person.” 

David Groth, standing by Dolan, echoed those words. 

“Dwight was a high-energy, positive guy,” he said. 

About 75 people turned out for the annual fun run at McEuen Park described as a “race for the rest of us." It was put on by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Coeur d’Alene as a tribute to Bershaw, who died Aug. 20, 2021, at the age of 54.  

A Rotarian, he was known for giving his time and talents to beautify the city.  

A Dwight Bershaw memorial bench area with his picture was created by the Rotary Club at the base of Tubbs Hill. 

The race was billed as "500 meters of grueling terrain over a pancake-flat paved trail. You can do it!" The $25 registration fee included a University of Lake Coeur d'Alene T-shirt and window sticker.

It wasn't much of a race, as everyone was strolling along, joking and stopping for doughnuts at the halfway point of the course on a sunny morning.

Proceeds went to charitable causes supported by the Sunrise Rotary Club. 

The event was marked by lots of laughter, smiles and many references to Dwight Bershaw. Some tipped their cups and applauded him as they passed the memorial area. 

Ali Bershaw, Dwight's widow, said seeing so many people turn out to honor her husband’s memory warmed her heart. 

She said Tubbs Hill, McEuen Park and the surrounding neighborhood meant a lot him, as they lived nearby. 

“This would thrill him to no end,” Ali Bershaw said. “It would be a beaming moment for him, to have an area for him by Tubbs Hill.” 

Bershaw helped plan the race before his death. Ali remembered when he told her about it, she thought he had the distance wrong. 

“I kept saying, ‘It’s a 5K, not a .5K,'” she said. 

He said, “No, it’s a .5k,” Ali said. 

That the race is now in his name would have delighted her husband. She said he deserved it. 

“He gave so much to the town,” Ali Bershaw said. “He’s got to be so proud, looking down.” 

Nick Arambarri, Dwight’s father-in-law, said Dwight had a strong love for family and community. 

If there was anything positive going on in Coeur d’Alene, Dwight was likely involved. 

“He was the best friend anyone could ever want," Arambarri said.

    David Groth smiles as he passes by the Dwight Bershaw memorial area during the Dwight Bershaw Memorial .5K walk at McEuen Park on Saturday.