All Local, All The Time
All Local, All The Time
A flagstone at the entrance to Bert's bench reminds us to "Be more like Bert." The flagstones on the path leading to the bench are inscribed with fond sayings attributed to Bert Steele by his family.
Kevin Dooley sings "Be More Like Bert" at the Bert Steele Bench dedication ceremony.
Bert Steele's family on Bert's Bench, (l ro r) Emily Dunn, Peter Kraft (standing), Alison Steele, Sarah Wollesen, Seth Steele, Julie Steele, and two grandchildren.
A cookie by Joan's Petite Sweets decorated with Bert Steele's red 1963 Chevrolet pickup truck.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, some 200 Niwotians gathered in front of the Niwot Market for the unveiling of a bench dedicated to the memory of beloved community member Bert Steele. It was a touching final farewell to Steele, who died Aug. 7, 2023, after a short illness.
Born on Oct. 16, 1950, Steele founded Niwot Market in 2002. A hard worker and passionate business owner, he cultivated a commercial space that has become truly integral to the community of Niwot. Niwot Market is frequently at the center of gatherings and celebrations, and is a central point for people to meet and chat.
Steele was an essential and beloved member of the community, so much so that leaders of various community organizations of Niwot came together to raise funds for this special new landmark. Organizations included the Niwot Community Association (NCA), the Niwot Business Association (NBA), the Rotary Club of Niwot, and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA).
Biff Warren, president of the NCAA and emcee of the ceremony, introduced committee members Vicky Dorvee of the NCA, Kamla Chopra of the Rotary, Karen Edwards of the Rotary, Deb Fowler of the NBA and the Rotary, and Selene Luna, long-time friend of Steele. Warren explained the thought behind the bench, saying, "We wanted to look for a way to memorialize Bert Steele with something that was tangible, that you saw everyday."
After Steele's family, including children Alison Steele, Seth Steele, Emily Dunn and Sarah Wollesen, unveiled the bench, Dunn and Peter Kraft, husband of Alison Steele, thanked the community. Local musician Kevin Dooley then performed a song he wrote in remembrance of Bert Steele, titled by the saying that many who knew him coined, "Be More Like Bert."
Steele's daughter and co-owner of Niwot Market, Alison Steele, explained the sentiment as she spoke at the ceremony. "I just want to remind everyone to continue being 'more like Bert' and accepting everyone for exactly who they are because, to someone, they are perfect. And to my dad, we were all pretty perfect," she reminisced.
The bench itself features a tailgate from a red 1963 Chevrolet pickup truck, exactly like the one that Steele always drove to parades, festivals, and holidays. The bench is nestled between two pines at the entrance of Niwot Market and surrounded by flagstones with messages and sentiments of Bert Steele collected by his family over the years. Niwot resident Bert Cashman of Cashman Signs etched the sayings into the flagstones, including the first stone, which simply states, "Be More Like Bert."
In addition to the bench, Steele is remembered by a scholarship in his honor for wrestlers in the Niwot and Fort Collins areas attending college or a trade school who show remarkable respect and leadership, along with acts of kindness and humility. So far, over $12,000 has been raised for the scholarship fund. Donations from the community collected by the NCAA for the bench project more than covered the $5,479 cost, and the excess is earmarked for Steele's wrestling scholarship fund, which will enable it to meet the $15,000 goal.
Though Steele's presence as a pillar of the community will be missed by all, his memory lives on in the heart of the town and through the many people he made a connection with. His memory will never be truly lost as we all contemplate how to be more like Bert.
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