By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
NEW YORK — Bob Beckwith, a retired FDNY firefighter who appeared with then-President George W. Bush in an iconic photo from Ground Zero just three days after the Sept. 11 attacks, has died.
Former New York Rep. Peter King announced Beckwith’s passing on social media Monday, the New York Post reported. King called Beckwith “an American icon who personified the best of the FDNY, New York and America at our most perilous moment.”
Bob Beckwith has passed away. A man of class and dignity. An American icon who personified the best of the FDNY, New York and America at our most perilous moment. Bob Beckwith R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/cGOZRKgnWZ
— Pete King (@RepPeteKing) February 5, 2024
It is with deep sorrow the UFA announces the passing of FF Bob Beckwith of L164. Bob is one of the heroes of 9/11 who stood tall for America, New York City and all New Yorkers, he spent many hours searching for the members we lost on that fateful day in 2001. pic.twitter.com/hK3xDB61u3
— FDNY UFA (@UFANYC) February 5, 2024
Beckwith was 69 years old and had been retired from the FDNY for seven years after serving for three decades. On Sept. 14, 2001, he went to Ground Zero to help with the search and rescue efforts and inadvertently became a part of history after his photo was seen across newspapers, television screens and the cover of Time magazine.
[RELATED: Bullhorn firefighter recalls famous 9/11 moment with president]
At his home, Beckwith kept a framed copy of the famous Time magazine cover and the flag gifted to him by the former president.
“It is not about me,” Beckwith said in an interview last year. “It is about the president and the country, and it was for a terrible tragedy. I’m not gonna pat myself on the back, I didn’t do anything. When the president was there, I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.”
Beckwith was 91. He is survived by his wife, six children and grandchildren.