FDNY Hero Bob Beckwith Who Stood With President Bush At Ground Zero Dies At 91

New York City firefighter Bob Beckwith, who stood with President Bush on the rubble of the Twin Towers in 2001 during Bush's famous impromptu speech to the rescue workers and to the American people, has passed away at age 91. 

Former U.S. Rep. Peter King, R.-N.Y. announced the news of Beckwith's passing via social media on Sunday. "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.," King tweeted. 

Beckwith wasn't supposed to be working that day in 2001 when President Bush visited New York City. The firefighter was 69 years old and retired from the department for six years when he was left no choice but to help. 

U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to rescue workers, firefighters and police officers from the rubble of Ground Zero September 14, 2001 in New York City. Standing with Bush is retired firefighter Bob Beckwith. (Photo by Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images)

Dressed in his old work gear and his leather fire helmet from Ladder Company 164, the story goes that Beckwith talked his way past the NYPD and the National Guard and into Ground Zero where he went to work on a bucket brigade during the search for survivors. 

During one of Bob's shifts, he ended up living through a pivotal moment in U.S. history. 

"I see the president on the corner, and he’s headed for the microphones across the street, but he did a hard right, and he comes right in front of me, and he puts his arm up," Beckwith told NBC in 2021. "I said, ‘Oh my God.’ I pulled him up on the rig, I turned him around. I said, ‘Are you OK, Mr. President?' He said. ‘Yeah.’ So, I start to get down and he said, ‘Where you going?’ I said, ‘I was told to get down.’ He said, ‘Oh no, you stay right here.’ And he put his arm around me."  

The rest is history: 

In a statement released Monday, President Bush extended his condolences Beckwith's passing. 

"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 attacked, Bob suited back up and, like so many brave first responders, raced toward the danger to save and search for others," the former president said. "His courage represented the defiant, resilient spirit of New Yorkers and Americans after 9/11. 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."

In September 2023, a reporter from the Daily Citizen contacted Beckwith to see how he was doing. "I'm old," Beckwith told the reporter. "At least I got to be old. But I'm a mess. Have that 9/11 cancer." 

But Bob Beckwith wasn't about to let anyone feel sorry for him or make Ground Zero about him during his moment in history. 

"It’s not about me," Beckwith said. "It’s about the president and the country, and it was 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."