Chuck Hassett
Memorial
Pamela Kelley
Eureka Branch Publicity Chairperson
Pamela Kelley
Eureka Branch Publicity Chairperson
Bruce Martin of Eureka was commissioned to create this work of art. He accepted the commission with enthusiasm and set to work, though his repertoire didn’t include benches heretofore. The Parks department was contacted and was truly enthusiastic about creating the perfect spot in the Park where the memorial bench would best show itself, and plans moved forward.
The evening of October 21st was chilly but the forecasted rain held off as some forty-five of us gathered in the garden next to the Sequoia Park Zoo for the unveiling and dedication of this bench in honor of Chuck Hassett. The southwest corner of the gardens had been groomed and a brick patio had been laid under the bench. To make it a true unveiling I’d arrived early and covered the bench, so when we gathered we took the time to speak of our friend. Eureka Branch President Dick Baum was introduced, followed by Vice-President Eileen Fahey, both of whom shared their memories of the Branch’s history and the myriad roles that Chuck had played over the years. It was heart-warming to witness the joy and pleasure that the reminders of times past generated throughout the crowd.
Mary Hassett was next to speak and she introduced family members who had traveled to Eureka for the event; Chuck’s sisters, Leta Jackson of Susanville, California and Marie Nye of Brookings, Oregon, and Marie’s friend, Lorraine Payne. Mary also introduced her brother Allan Ettinger and his wife Bonnie who had come from their home in Prineville, Oregon. Bev Overstreet and her son and daughter-in-law were down from Crescent City, California as Bev was to be our program presenter later that evening, at our monthly meeting.
In addition to Branch members, retired Parks Gardener Darrell Graham and his wife Joyce were there, and Darrell recalled the pleasure he derived in working with Chuck and other Branch members who tended the fuchsias on Thursday mornings for many, many years. Club member Joe Dektor also shared his appreciation and admiration for Chuck, as a friend and as a teacher of all things Fuchsia. As mentioned by both Dick and Joe, Chuck Hassett was many different things to many different people and we realized that evening that we are all bound by the thread of love and friendship woven by this amazing man.
Bruce Martin was formally introduced to the crowd next, and he spoke about his adventure in creating the work of art that we had commissioned. It seems that the woods he had used, chosen for their longevity in an outdoor venue, had burn resistance ratings equivalent to concrete; this factor contributed to several broken drill bits and the necessity to sharpen saw blades frequently. The bench was assembled using the mortise and tenon method of joinery, resulting in a bench containing absolutely no nails but sturdy and strong for decades to come. The artist’s passion for woodworking was evident in his words, and his skill and talent were to be clearly seen momentarily.
At last the time had come to reveal the memorial bench. When the cover was lifted the response was immediate and enthusiastic. The exotic woods—Brazilian ipe, tropical jatoba and Santos mahogany—had been mingled in a radiant mixture, their shades and grains offsetting one another to perfection. Bruce had hand-carved a fuchsia blossom and leaves into the center of the headrest, a lovely tribute to our shared passion—fuchsias! The lines of the bench were simple and graceful, which accented the amazing woods. Everyone was invited to come forward and take a closer look, and many pictures were snapped. We took turns sitting on the bench and the consensus was comfortable as well as beautiful. A bronze plaque will be added as a final touch so that all who come upon this exquisite bench in a shaded corner of the gardens will know for whom it was made. As Branch Secretary Jean Durbin commented, “The bench is so Chuck ~ warm, welcoming and elegant, all at the same time.”
You are all invited to visit Eureka, the Park and the bench. Come and sit here, gaze at the beauty of this little garden cut into the majestic redwoods, and enjoy the fuchsias that grow and thrive ‘round about.
Gone but never forgotten, Charles “Chuck” Hassett lives in the hearts and memories of all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and we are all better for the experience.
