Remembering 2024’s Losses: Bob Beckwith

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You may notice that some of these people in this list of the 2024 obituaries are people who had a moment….“15 minutes of fame,” as Andy Warhol famously said. This man certainly didn’t want it. None of us wanted it. The worst tragedy of our generation brought him into the international spotlight for a moment. Bob Beckwith Bob Beckwith spent thirty years as a New York City fireman, working at Ladder Company 164 in Queens. That alone makes him a hero, if you ask me. He retired in 1994. Then came 9/11. Beckwith, 69 years old at the time and retired for seven years, volunteered to assist with search at rescue at Ground Zero. On September 14, 2001, President Bush made a visit to Ground Zero. Beckwith helped clear a path to a fire truck, where the president would stand. A Secret Service agent asked Beckwith to help Bush to the top of the fire truck, then he could leave. Ever the dutiful fireman, Beckwith did as he was told, helping the president to his perch. As he started to leave, however, Bush grabbed him and said, “Where are you going?” “I was told to leave,” he replied. “Oh, no,” the president said. “You’re staying here with me.” And stay, Beckwith did. He stood next to Bush, the president’s arm around him, as Bush delivered his famous “I hear you, the whole world hears you” remarks. Believe it or not, the president kept in touch with Beckwith long after that moment faded. In fact, he was one of the people who called Beckwith’s wife to offer condolences when he heard that Beckwith had lost his battle with cancer. All of his firefighting friends and family said that Beckwith was a humble man who never considered himself a hero for working 30 years in the FDNY, nor for having a moment on the cover of Time Magazine photographed with the President of the United States. A salute of gratitude for Fireman Beckwith. Bob Beckwith Born Robert Beckwith, April 16, 1932, New York City Died February 4, 2024, New York City (cancer) (age 91) A news item about Beckwith’s wake, featuring that moment from 2001: