The Ken Holmes Memorial Bench, ‘Ken’s Bench’ was dedicated July 22. Photo by Joyce Haven
A crowd of friends, neighbors, colleagues and family gathers on North Mesa July 22 for the dedication of the Ken Holmes Memorial Bench. Photo by Joyce Haven
COMMUNITY NEWS
More than 60 friends, neighbors, colleagues and family gathered on July 22 to dedicate the recently installed Ken Holmes Memorial Bench (“Ken’s Bench”) on North Mesa Los Alamos County land behind Camino Redondo. The bench overlooks Pueblo Canyon and has a stunning view of the Rio Grande Valley and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Rev. Deb Church of White Rock Presbyterian Church gave a prayer and blessing of the bench. Eric Peterson, Los Alamos County Open Space Specialist spoke about Ken’s passion for trail maintenance and the value of volunteerism in maintaining the many beautiful trails in Los Alamos.
Jennifer Holmes, Ken’s wife, hosted an open house at her home following the dedication where many of Ken’s friends from all walks of life gathered and honored his memory.
Michael Altherr, the Holmes’s neighbor, initiated a GoFundMe campaign after Ken passed away in October 2022 to fund the bench and labor. The crowdsourcing effort raised enough money in two weeks to pay for the bench, a simple plaque and the labor.
Eric Peterson and his county crew installed the bench in the early spring. There was enough money left over after the bench was installed to make a donation to one of Ken’s favorite local non-profits, Rio Arriba Adult Literacy Program where he was a volunteer.
Ken Holmes was the librarian at Los Alamos High School for 10 years as well as a volunteer for Los Alamos County Trails Maintenance program. He was active at White Rock Presbyterian Church and the Los Alamos Dharma Friends. He loved the view from the Bench site behind his home on North Mesa.
The bench is on County property and is open to all.
Pastor Deb Church of White Rock Presbyterian Church offers a prayer and a blessing Saturday at the dedication of the Ken Holmes Memorial bench on North Mesa. Photo by Joyce Haven
Eric Peterson, Los Alamos County Open Space Specialist, speaks about Ken Holmes’ passion for trail maintenance. Photo by Joyce Haven