Admin

The Linda Ruehle Bench, Issaquah

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

I discovered another Richard Beyer sculpture in downtown Issaquah this week. It's titled, The Linda Ruehle Bench. It's a life size tribrute of the late beloved City Clerk, Linda Ruehle, across East Sunset Way from City Hall.

Rich Beyer (1925 - 2012) is probably best known for his 1979 sculpture “People waiting for the Interurban” in the heart of the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. It depicts a group of six people and a dog waiting for the Interurban Railway.

The Linda Ruehle Bench by Richard Beyer in historic downtown Issaquah, Washington.

Rich Beyer is one of my favorite sculptors. I love his work, it always embraces the spirit, history and story of the community, often with whimsy and humor. The bench here sits a top stacks of city ordinance books.

You'll find Beyer’s public pieces which are mostly cast aluminum in several locations around the Pacific Northwest in Seattle, Ellensburg, Wenatchee, Yakima, Edmonds, Des Moines and Renton among other places. 

For the Linda Ruehle Bench sculpture, Beyer was assisted by sculptor Steve Love.

"Art is seeing common things transformed by love, and the best public art belongs to the story of a community."

~ Rich Beyer

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.
Show All Comments Sort:
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

Hi Rene - I didn't know this but this style looked familiar to me, so I looked up who sculpted the "kissing" statue on Olympia's waterfront, and we are also graced with a piece of art and history by Rich Beyer!

Sep 20, 2013 03:40 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Francine... Rich Beyer has around 90 public works around Washington! I've seen photos of the "kissing" statue. Next time I'm in Olympia I want to see it. I forgot it was on my list the last time I was Olympia earlier this summer.

Sep 20, 2013 03:45 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

What a wonderful tribute to a beloved City Clerk, Rene!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Sep 20, 2013 08:54 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Myrl... I didn't know her, but she must have been a very special lady for the city and many local businesses to honor her this way. You too, have a wonderful weekend! Thanks!

Sep 20, 2013 08:58 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Rene I've had my pictures taken by some of his work - love all that he as left for all of us to enjoy (whenver we're in that neck of the woods).  Enjoy your weekend!

Sep 20, 2013 09:40 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Anna! Thanks! His work always brings me a smile and leaves me with something to think about. You too! Have a great weekend!

Sep 20, 2013 09:52 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Rene, We have sculptures like this in our downtown. I really like them and what they represent. Rich Beyer does really good work.

Sep 20, 2013 11:15 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thankyou Debbie! I love this kind of public art! They give us such a feeling of place and anchor our history. Richard Beyer did a lot of wonderful pieces and helps us to remember who we are, a community.

Sep 20, 2013 12:09 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

I can't even imagine the amount of work that it takes to do such an amazing piece of work. Thank you for sharing the photo with all of us.

Make it a great weekend!

Sep 20, 2013 09:02 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Rene, when I was in Chelan a couple of weeks ago I saw at least three of his pieces---does he live there or something?

Sep 21, 2013 10:32 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Joe... Indeed, yes. Creating the mold and casting the aluminum is quite a process!

Charlie: Yes, Rich Beyer has several pieces on display around Chelan and Eastern Washington in Ellensburg, Yakima and Wenatchee. After he outgrew his Fremont studio in Seattle he moved (somewhat near to) Chelan, to Pateros in Okanogan County. Rich passed away in New york of a stroke in April 9, 2012.

Sep 21, 2013 10:51 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Rene' as you know I love art and books what a great sculpture...never heard of Rich Beyer or his are, thank you for sharing....would love a photo sitting next to it on the bench reading a book:)))Endre

Sep 22, 2013 03:52 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Endre, we think alike... there was no one around, but I thought that too... wouldn't it be cool to get a photo sitting on the bench with her! I'll have to go back..

Sep 22, 2013 04:27 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Rene'~gotta love those localism posts! And, it's a "three-fer", spotlighting a local artist, a local beloved community member AND a bit of history! Now, I'm off to check out Rich Beyer.

Sep 23, 2013 04:06 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Gayle... Thanks! Rich did over 90 pieces throughout the NW... Fun stuff and thought provoking.

Sep 23, 2013 06:22 AM