Reuters
Bob Beckwith, the former New York City firefighter who stood alongside George W. Bush in the rubble of Ground Zero, unexpectedly becoming part of a tableau of American fortitude in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, died on Sunday night. He was 91.
Beckwith’s death was first announced by former U.S. Rep. Pete King, who called him a man of “class and dignity” who personified the best of the city and the country in its darkest hour. It was later confirmed by the union representing New York’s firefighters.
“Bob is one of the heroes of 9/11 who stood tall for America, New York City and all New Yorkers,” FDNY UFA said in a social media statement. “He spent many hours searching for the members we lost on that fateful day in 2001.”