Retired 9/11 Firefighter Dies at 91 Years Old

(LibertyInsider.org) – A heroic firefighter who came out of retirement to aid in rescue efforts during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, has died. Bob Beckwith passed away at the age of 91 on February 4, following another courageous fight against melanoma at the end of his life.

Beckwith became a cultural icon after he coincidentally ran into former President George W. Bush at Ground Zero while on duty. The former president had stopped to give a speech to a group of exhausted firefighters and first responders, many of whom had already spent countless hours searching for survivors.

At some point during this encounter, someone happened to snap a picture as the two men stood side-by-side. The photo captured President Bush standing side-by-side with Beckwith, with one arm wrapped tightly around the firefighter’s left shoulder and another holding a bullhorn.

Bob Beckwith, retired firefighter in famous image with Bush after 9/11, dies at 91 https://t.co/gKoJtlWzs6

— POLITICO (@politico) February 5, 2024

The image of the president with his arm around Beckwith became a powerful symbol of unity and resilience in the face of tragedy. But according to his wife, Barbara Beckwith, he was anything but a fame-seeker and didn’t even realize he would meet Bush that day.

“He was just lucky. He was at the right place, at the right time,” she told AP News. “But he was a regular guy. Well-liked and quiet. Just a regular Joe.”

But to Bob’s colleagues in firefighting, he was clearly so much more. Tributes flowed in from the organizations he served, as well as the many people who got to know him at a professional level along the way. All recognized him for his commitment and dedication to saving lives.

In a statement published via the Bush Center’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, former President Bush said he was proud to stand by Beckwith’s side at Ground Zero that fateful day so many years ago. He also said it was a privilege to remain in contact with the firefighter over the years.

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ON
BOB BECKWITH:

DALLAS, TEXAS – Laura and I are saddened by the passing of Bob Beckwith. On September 11, 2001, Bob was happily retired after more than 30 years of service with the New York City Fire Department. When the terrorists… pic.twitter.com/MeUqEp8cd8

— George W. Bush Presidential Center (@TheBushCenter) February 5, 2024

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY), where Beckwith worked for over three decades, expressed sorrow over his passing and gratitude for his many years of service. The Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York (UFA) expressed similar condolences, calling him a hero who played a key role in saving other first responders at Ground Zero.