Retired firefighter Bob Beckwith, who rushed to help with the rescue effort at the Twin Towers after 9/11 and was pictured with President Bush, has died aged 91.
Beckwith, from Baldwin, New York, had retired seven years before the 2001 attacks but rushed to Ground Zero to help with the search and rescue efforts.
An iconic photograph of him standing with President Bush on a destroyed fire truck in front of the still smoking site, was splashed across newspapers around the world.
Sharing the news of his death, the George W. Bush Presidential Center wrote: ‘When the terrorists attacked, Bob suited back up and, like so many brave first responders, raced toward the danger to save and search for others.
‘His courage represented the defiant, resilient spirit of New Yorkers and Americans after 9/11.’
Beckwith had retired seven years before the attacks but still raced to ground zero to help with the search and rescue efforts
He tried to move to make room for the then-president, but Bush put his arm around his shoulders and told him to stay where he was
Bush gave a speech and told listening rescue workers ‘I can hear you’
Bush added: ‘I was proud to have Bob by my side at Ground Zero days later and privileged to stay in touch with this patriot over the years.
‘Laura and I send our condolences to Barbara and the Beckwith family as they remember this decent, humble man.’
The cause of his death was not immediately shared but last year he told Focus on the Family that he had malignant skin cancer, along with other health problems.
Beckwith was a 69-year-old retired grandparent when he heard about the terror attacks on the news.
He had worked for the FDNY for three decades, and immediately told his wife he was going down to the site.
His family tried to stop him but when he found out three days later that one of his friend’s sons was trapped in the rubble, he put on his old uniform, strapped on his helmet and walked out the door.
He drove downtown to the site and convinced police officers to let him in, saying he was late for duty.
He told CNN in 2005: ‘I go start digging with the guys in the North Tower, and we come across a pumper with a 76 Engine.
‘And we’re working because we’re looking for survivors and we’re looking for people, and we’re hoping they found an air pocket or something.’
The photos were splashed on front pages around the world and even featured on the front of TIME magazine
Beckwith ‘represented the defiant, resilient spirit of New Yorkers and Americans’
During the first week, as rubble was removed and hopes of finding survivors dwindled, a rumor went around the President Bush was coming to visit.
Beckwith climbed on top of a burned out fire truck to try and get a better look, when he was approached by a stranger that turned out to be Bush’s deputy chief of staff, Karl Rove.
Beckwith said: ‘He comes over and he dusts off (the spot) next to my foot and he says, «Is this safe?».’
Rove said that someone important was coming and asked Beckwith to help him up to where he was standing and then climb down.
The next think Beckwith knew, Bush appeared and he reached out an arm to help him up.
He said: ‘And the president came, and he is shaking hands with all the ironworkers and all the cops and all the firemen that were down there … and I figure he’s going over to the microphones, but he makes a quick right, and he puts his arm up and I said, «Oh my God!»‘
Beckwith started to climb down out of the way, but the president stopped him, saying ‘Where are you going?’ and then put his arm around his shoulders.
Beckwith stayed in touch with Bush and visited him in the Oval Office years after the attacks
He continued to campaign for firefighters until his death
A few firefighters called out ‘we can’t hear you’, to which Bush famously replied: ‘I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.’
Beckwith said after: ‘That was so uplifting. That was a big speech. That was something. Then I helped the President down’
Photos of President Bush standing with his arm around Beckwith were shared around the world and Beckwith was even featured on the cover of TIME magazine.
Years after the attacks, Beckwith visited Bush at the White House and continued to advocate for firefighters around the world.
He said in 2005: ‘A fireman is a fireman, you’re in a family of great people.’
The FDNY Union shared a tribute on X, writing: ‘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.
Bush praised his resilience and said he was one of many retired emergency workers who suited back up in the aftermath of the terror attacks
President Bush shared a tribute to Beckwith on X
‘A man of true dignity and is beloved by the UFA and the department for all of his sacrifice. Bob was 90 years old.
‘God bless Bob, his family, and all the members who worked with him at Ladder 164 and Engine 313. May his memory never be forgotten.’
Meanwhile former Long Island Representative, Pete King wrote: ‘Bob Beckwith, the true American icon who stood with President Bush at Ground Zero just days after the attacks of 9/11, has passed away.
‘Bob Beckwith was a man of dignity and class who personified the very best of the FDNY, New York and America at our most perilous moment.
‘I was proud to call Bob my friend and extend my prayers and deepest sympathy to his wife Barbara and all his family members. Bob Beckwith R.I.P.’
