[Libby K]

I heard the news last night, and I haven't stopped crying since.
I don't want to post this, because that means it's really true...but I wanted to share my story and maybe let people who hadn't gotten the honor of meeting him know what a wonderful person Dave Beck really was.

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I first met Dave Beck when I was about 7 years old- my family had just moved to NJ and my dad wanted to get acquainted with the area teams. While he was judging at the regional, Cassie and I would run around- and Dave was always keeping an eye out for us. He was really like a second father to me at those events. I carry those memories with me always.

A few years ago, as I was moving up into high school, Dave gave me & my family advice and encouragement for starting 1923. Dave, Cathy, Cassie, and the whole of team 103 has always stood by my team through thick and thin. When we lost all our mentors before our regional last year, and I was just about ready to give up, the Becks helped me pull through the tears and gave me the confidence to know 1923 would live on.

This season, 1923, at Dave's invitation, practiced at the Cybersonics' field every weekend. They graciously hosted us every weekend, and there formed a great camaraderie between the two teams. My teammates no longer referred to them as my friends at 103. They were our friends. Team 103 is a group we have tried to emulate this year- through their passion, their gracious professionalism, and their all-around ability to be wonderful people, which I attribute to their wonderful mentor.

This year has been an outstanding one for my team, and we owe it all to Dave & Team 103.
We count him as a mentor of our own, and we will miss him greatly. This is an incredible loss for the FIRST community.

Dave Beck is one of the most outstanding people I have ever met, and he will live on through all the students he has inspired.
I know that the lessons he has taught me will stay with me all my life.

Team 1923 is proud to have known him, and we carry on his memory. He will never be forgotten.

My deepest condolences to Cathy, Cassie, team 103, and everyone at Palisades. If you need anything -and I mean anything- please don't hesitate to let your friends at 1923 know. We're here for you.