There will be a bench dedication for the Houghton Family Bench by the Boy Scouts on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 11:00 am. All are welcome.
The bench overlooks Cowell’s beach and is located at the parking lot near the entrance of the Wharf. For those that need an exact address, I think this will put you within 100 feet if you use Google maps: 49B Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA.
The beach is special because the family has a lot of memories from here. Day On The Beach with the Handicapped Scuba Association took place at Cowell’s Beach.
David and I used to surf there a lot when we were young teenagers. The picture to the left is David when he was about 15 and it is shot against the foundation pillars of the Dream Inn hotel at Cowell’s beach. We used to spend time sun tanning there and he would practice his maneuvers for tandem surfing.
Not far from there, David and I worked at the Boardwalk. He was a ride operator and had a lot of fun with his co-workers. They played a lot of jokes and they shot each other with whipping cream. He was a popular guy.
If anybody has any stories about the family and the significance of Cowell’s beach, please leave a comment below.
I am just thrilled at the location for this special bench. Like John, I have many memories at Cowell Beach. I shared the Shared Adventures for several years and always left with such a full heart at the end of the day. Amazed at the trust and confidence in the faces of the the receipients of the day in the waters. I played on the beach with all four of my grandchildren, spent many hours at the boardwalk (my last visit with Luke and Ryan on June 14, 2011 DeDe and I took them and two friends for the day). Many times I sat on the beach or on the cliff above Cowell beach and watched Luke surfing, he was a natural! One time I was there and rented a metal detector and the boys and I went around the beach and found some coins and a football…yeah the football was not detected by the detector, but there was something metal there that caused us to dig. When they organized and worked for the wharf cleanup each year I was amazed at the volunteers that showed up and at the as the boys voiced the “treasures” that were found in the debrie brought up. So many memories and good times shared and now when I go I will be able to sit on the bench and think back on past experiences and reflect back to the day we sailed by on the Chardenay II and placed our beloveds there in the waters they all loved so much. The dolphin on the bench so represents their love of the sea. What a way to share the memories, thank you to the boyscouts, the city and to the many that donated to the building, engraving and the special placement of this memorial bench.
The bench is a lovely place for contemplation. Special thanks to the boy scouts who have made it a reality for those who will use it as they remember when…..
My first memory of David and Dede and Cowell Beach is a Shared Adventures Day on the Beach event. David and Dede ran the scuba area. They always had tons of great volunteers from their friends and Aqua Safaris staff and customers. Super organized (Dede) and on top of everything – so savvy to the participants needs – and how to make sure everyone who wanted to got to participate.
Sometimes we had participants who were a little scared but wanted to go on Scuba. Dave and Dede were an encouraging team and that spirit permeated all of the volunteers. This is a tradition we hope to continue, especially in honor of our dear friends and what their service and this fun day meant to Foster, the founder of Shared Adventures, and all of the participants.
We wouldn’t miss a year because it was always so much fun. We usually had dinner with Dave and Dede, Luke and Ryan at their house after the event and we always looked forward to some quiet time to catch up. We love you Dave, Dede, Luke and Ryan. The pain has not eased…
There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think of that family and how they all were such an important part of my life. I feel truly blessed to have been so close to all of them in so many ways. I know that I’ll be spending time on that bench remembering our times together…..and continuing to miss each of them.
I look forward to spending time on the bench and remembering them
an unforgettable family, may the love they shared and spread keep sparkling and bring peace and comfort.
I also have memories of the Houghtons at this beach volunteering at Shared Adventures. When the boys were little, DeDe would ask me to watch them. Usually we’d play in the water. But one year when Luke was around 5 there was a man on the beach teaching people how to make sand castles and sand sculptures. Luke was very interested in this and spent hours working on his castle. Everyone including the teacher was very impressed with his work and his level of concentration. That’s how Luke approached most things in his life.
I’m sorry I won’t be able to be there on Saturday to honor the memory of this beautiful family and support those whose hearts are still aching. Next time I’m in town, I’ll visit the bench and reflect on the life of service and joy that was led by David and his family. His spirit is still vibrant in my heart, inspiring me to be my best.
Hugs to all of you, especially Cathryn, Marion, Ed, John and Linda, Keith, Gabby & their boys.
Laid up with the flu, I’m so disappointed to be missing the dedication today
Shayne and I visited the bench last weekend… what a perfect spot for it! I love reading the stories everyone posts. We were just getting to know Luke and were devastated by losing him and his family. They will live on in our hearts for always.
Saturday February 11, 2012 was a very special day in the lives of us that knew and loved David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan. With the boyscouts, private donationsand the wonderful support of the city a beautiful memory bench was dedicated. Everyone that atended (over 100 people at a guess) were pleased with the bench and the location there at Cowell’s Beach where the family spent so many hours enjoying and sharing the ocean life. It started out a cool day with a slight light rain (we need it so no negitivity, and I stated that with their love of water this was light a sharing!) The sun came out as the warm words of thankfulness and memories flowed from Kelly’s (scout leader) lips as he dedicated the bench and the location. I am hoping John will post the link to the site where Ron Goodman posted a video of the ceremony. It is wonderful to see people using the bench to sit and ponder or just rest as they visit this lovely place. I know that I will visit this bench when ever I am here and I am sure many of you will also. I am so proud of them all, they brought such joy and happiness to our lives and I believe they would approve of this gift and accept the love that it represents. Thank you to all that attended and to those that were unable to be there due to illness or prior obligations, I hope you will get that special feeling as you watch the video and that you will plan to go to Cowell’s beach and sit for a moment or two just remembering and then smile, for I believe they are watching from where they are. As Mom and Nana and also a friend I ask that God Bless and Love to all. Linda
I wish I could have been there to see you all again. I had to work. On my way to work I pass the Watsonville airport and often stop by the memorial tree to clean off the leaves and say “hi” to some dearly missed friends. I often tell them about my day.I work on the dive boats in Monterey. At Christmas I hung 4 ornaments on the tree to let them know I was thinking about them over the hollidays and took them down on new years. I often walk from the tree to the building and back counting my steps. 63 each way. I find peace knowing they are together.
I can’t wait to make it to Cowells and sit on the bench and reflect. I remember helping out with Shared Adventures and what a rewarding feeling to donate my time with David and DeDe on that special day ,also the wharf clean ups with Aqua Safaris.
Address for the memorial Bench dedication on Feb. 11, 2012. Hope you can open it and will enjoy sharing the day and the loving moments with us all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSRXk38WNog
Still can’t believe I missed the dedication due to being so sick… was looking so forward to that day! But, watching the video this morning helped me feel connected… repeating the dedication words and being filled with such a strong feeling of motivation and hope. And how perfect to see the sun’s rays pushing through during the ceremony! Thank you to everyone who made the bench possible, what a beautiful tribute to an ever-inspiring family.
I appreciate being able to sit on the bench and look out at the sea that the Houghton family loved so much. Tonight Ryan’s Cub Scout den, that DeDe and David were leaders of, had a bridging ceremony. Some of the boys earned their Arrow of Light badge which is a high honor in cub scouts. Ryan was given one posthumously as we all know he would have earned it. They are forever in our hearts and memories.
Shannon and the scout troop, thank you so much for remembering Ryan and you are right he certainly would have earned the Arrow of Light badge. He so loved the scouts and the challenges and experiences he shared with you all. Each of the family were hereos to me, Ryan with his sparkling green eyes , humor and thrill for each day inspired me to look at the bigger picture of how life should be. The gifts they each left for us have changed all of our lives in some way whether it be big or small. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences here on the blog, I read it daily and just love when someone has shared something special about David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan whether it be individual or of family memories. I was out at the pool cleaning it on Mother’s day when a playful dragonfly flew past my face and then circled and played over the pool and coming to land briefly on a flower before returning to the pool. It reminded me of the times shared playing in the pool with them all. I look for these little reminders and believe they are not coincidences but gifts. Wishing lots of fun times shared to all that are reading this post. You too inspire me and give me the opportunity to share my love. Linda
I was at Santa Cruz today when I came upon this special bench. I guess it was the 1 year anniversary of the death of this beautiful family. I was so moved by it that I sat on it wondering about these special people. As soon as I got home, I looked up the tradgey and my heart really goes out to the rest of the family and the loved ones they lost. It seems to me that they were such a fun family who loved each other so much. I’m glad they are still together for always. God bless the rest of the family, and know that people are enjoying the bench as they gaze towards the ocean.
Thank you Barbara and the many others that have enjoyed this beautiful memorial bench these past few months. It is a wonderful tribute to our wonderful family of four that we all miss terribly each day. I feel such a comfort in my heart as I read your message, you who were not blessed in knowing them and yet have cared enough to find out about them. We are all thankful to you for your caring, your thoughts and your compassion during our loss. I hope the blog will be here for many years and that friends who were once strangers resting on the beautiful bench by the sea at Cowell’s beach will continue to find peace in sharing. July 21, 2012 there is an event “Shared Adventures” that will be held on this beach, I hope you will be able to visit and share in a day that was very special and rewarding to David and DeDe and the many volunteers that in sharing their time and knowledge, offer experiences to some very special people who otherwise might never experience the joys of the sea. Sharing in Love, Linda (DeDe’s Mom and she was my best friend)