Starting Monday, April 25, passers-by may have been noticing a newly installed view bench along the Benicia Bay waterfront trail. The bench was installed over the previous weekend by the city of Benicia in remembrance of Rosie Switzer, a longtime resident and champion of children in town, who died in November.

Friends and family of the teacher and community leader commissioned the bench in honor of their departed loved one.

“I would say well over 100 of Rosie’s colleagues and friends donated to help this happen,” Becky Ross, a friend of Switzer’s, told the Herald Friday. “Rick Knight of the City of Benicia and F and P Trophy of Benicia owners Roger and Nancy Green were also very helpful in getting this project done.”

The City of Benicia agreed to cover the cost of the installation.
Switzer worked as an elementary school teacher in Benicia Unified School District for more than 35 years. She taught at Mills Elementary from 1969 to 1977 before moving to Robert Semple, where she taught from 1978 to 1987. She spent the last 17 years of her teaching career at Joe Henderson.
“Rosie was someone who advocated for children who needed extra support,” Ross said. “She always welcomed them into her classroom and knew how to make school a place where they could thrive. During her time as an educator, she began an outdoor education program.”
Switzer retired from teaching in 2004. Starting in 2005, she served the next 10 years as a school board member.
“She was an advocate for classified educators and served as a bridge between the teaching staff and the administration,” Ross said.
Ross says the group chose the Gull Point location for the memorial bench because of its vicinity to the Switzers’ home.
“It is a peaceful spot with a beautiful view of the Carquinez Bridge,” she said. “Walkers enjoy the winding coastline of Benicia here, as Rosie did. Yet, the spot was in need of a proper bench.”
A memorial plaque in front of the bench reads:
“Rosie Switzer, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Community Leader, gave selflessly to so many and was cherished by all. As we look out over the water you will be remembered.”
The memorial view bench is located at Gull Point Court, near where West 3rd St. meets the water in Benicia.
“We would like to invite passers-by to enjoy this place, to stop and reflect on her life and service to our community,” Ross said.

A memorial bench was installed by the water near West 3rd Street in honor of Rosie Switzer. Switzer, who died in November, served Benicia Unified School District for 46 years, first as a teacher at three different schools and then as a school board trustee and president.

Photo by Cameron Switzer

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