FOLLOWUP: Rolf, restored

(Photos courtesy Rose Feliciano)

Back on Saturday night, we reported on the plight that had befallen the unofficial tribute to Rolf Neslund – “patron saint of the broken bridge” (explained here) – along the bike/foot path by the West Seattle Bridge. Today, the sculpture mysteriously installed three years ago is standing again, thanks to this trio:

That’s Rose Feliciano in the foreground, local preservationists John Bennett and Mike Shaughnessy with the statue. Mike is one of the people who reached out after we noted we hadn’t been able to reach the installation’s original creator(s); Rose is the first person who emailed us to report Rolf had taken a tumble; she then took him into protective custody for fear of theft (it has happened before). After Rose reported the restoration, Mike added, “Special thanks to Sandy Brown for the free concrete pedestal pieces. And of course the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.” (And thanks to the others who offered to help.)

8 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Rolf, restored"

  • Cranky Westie June 5, 2023 (2:23 pm)

    Gad Zooks! Lars has been out of town (Helsinki!) for the past month and will be ever so grateful to Rose, John and Mike for their help and tender fellowship to Rolf. For the record, Lars’ last name is Fujikawa , not Nishakawa…

  • Susan Kinne June 5, 2023 (3:21 pm)

    Thank you so much for the rescue (and the report crediting the rescuers). I biked past on Saturday and was stunned to see Rolf facedown in the ivy. Had no idea of whom to call, so this news was particularly welcome.

    • waikikigirl June 6, 2023 (7:11 am)

      Who ya gonna call…..no, not Ghostbusters—–West Seattle Blog!!!❤️ When you need answers look/ask here first.

  • KJ June 5, 2023 (4:34 pm)

    I kinda needed some good humaning today. This did the job. Thanks, WSB, and Rose, John, and Mike!

  • Spencer June 5, 2023 (6:46 pm)

    THE DAY IS SAVED! Amazing work, give yourselves a pat on the back. We can pay respects to Saint Neslund in peace once more. :D

  • Auntie June 5, 2023 (7:54 pm)

    And to the cranky person commenting in theoriginal post about the tipover, who was so salty about the thing even existing: neener! We love this! Maybe you should go live in a gated community with a really uptight HOA…

  • Shepherd Siegel June 5, 2023 (10:16 pm)

    I had just biked past this the other day, and took note (and a photograph of Rolf Supine) the tribute knocked around and on the ground. I’m grateful to the restoration team…THANKS!!

  • Anna June 11, 2023 (11:52 am)

    So happy to see Rolf back!!

Sorry, comment time is over.