Baldwin's Bob Beckwith is remembered

Bob Beckwith, former FDNY firefighter, rushed out of retirement to help a friend find his missing son in ground zero, three days after the terrorist attacks shook NYC and the country to its core. This selfless choice turned Beckwith into a beacon of hope for the nation, which he embodied until he died on Feb. 4.

Beckwith, 91, died due to melanoma, succumbing to the 9/11 related illness. If you were an off duty fireman on Feb. 10, it is likely that you were standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other fellow firemen on Gale Avenue, giving Beckwith an honorary send off before he was buried at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.

Some will remember Beckwith for the iconic photo and video he was in with former President George W. Bush, while others will recall how Beckwith was a humble man that would sit in the back row of St. Christopher’s Church in Baldwin every Saturday evening and visit the Levittown diner with his friends each week. Beckwith enjoyed playing the piano, fishing, watching jeopardy, spending time with his grandchildren and attending their lacrosse games, Irish step dance competitions, and spent time at the Baldwin American Legion Post no. 246. He was an ordinary man, who, by chance, was given the opportunity to uplift Americans during one the darkest times for the country.

On Sept. 14, 2001, Beckwith learned that the son of his old friend Jimmy Boyle was missing amid the ruins of the Twin Towers. Beckwith, who lost his sons Joseph and Thomas, understood the grief that Boyle was going through. So he sprang into action and worked at the site of the attacks in Manhattan all day.

While he was down there, amid the grief and the grime, Beckwith stood shoulder to shoulder with Bush, while Bush gave a speech using a megaphone. With Bush’s arm draped over Beckwith, Bush said “America today is on bended knee in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, and for the families who mourn.” This video, which quickly aired in news stations across the country, turned Beckwith into a symbol of hope and unity.

“Laura and I are saddened by the passing of Bob Beckwith,” Bush stated in a statement, delivered by former Long Island congressman Peter King at Beckwith’s funeral.

In the statement, Bush explained how Beckwith, racing towards danger, showcased the resilience spirit of all Americans during 9/11. He stated that he was glad to keep in touch with Beckwith throughout the years since the attacks.

“I want to say that no one is indispensable,” King said in his eulogy. “Bob Beckwith is indispensable. He was one of a kind.”

Beckwith’s life started on April 16, 1932 to parents Thomas and Cecilia in Astoria Queens. After Beckwith graduated from Rice High school in Manhattan in 1952, he joined the Navy for four years, and then went on to study Liberal Arts at LaGuardia College. After graduating, he held various jobs including driving for UPS and in 1964, Beckwith became an FDNY firefighter, kickstarting a 30 year career with the department.

After leaving the Navy in 1956, Beckwith met his wife Barbara at a picnic. One year later, they got married on May 11, 1957. They settled down on Fairview Avenue in Baldwin and went on to have 6 children.

In 1994 Bob retired and according to TowersFuneralHome.com, Barbara recounted going on drives with him where they would get in the car and Bob would ask “which way do you want to go Barbara?” One of Bob’s favorite activities at home was being entertained by his two great grandsons with a smile across his face, as he gave directions to them when they would put on a show in the den of his home.

Bob was predeceased by sons Joseph and Tommy. He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Christine; sons Bob, Richard, and Stephen; 10 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.