Sad News for FIRST- passing of Dave Beck, team 103

[OZ_341]

Dave's passing is a great loss for all of the kids that will never get to meet him or learn form this great man.
He was a great friend and advisor. He was a mentor to our team and to me personally.
We will all miss him on so many levels, that it is not possible to put it all in perspective.
On behalf of myself, my family, and the 341 family, I just wanted to say how much we will miss Dave.
Our prayers are with Cathy, Cassie and everyone at Palisades High School.

Alan Ostrow

[Gabe Salas Jr.]

I was able to meet and talk to him at the Florida regional this year. A very well-rounded individual and a model mentor for FIRST. My condolences to all whom knew him.

[Chris Fultz]

Our thoughts and prayers are with Daves family and friends and team through this very difficult time. It is difficult to find the right words to say.

Condolences from Team 234.

[Michael Sperber]

I have known Dave and Cathy through FIRST for many years. Our teams (175 and 103) sat next to each other at the very first Chairman's Award Hall of Fame. Dave was an amazing person, who not only worked hard for his students, but for a better FIRST. Over the years we have had numerous discussions about FIRST, our teams and life. I will miss those conversations and I will miss seeing him and the energy he brings to FIRST.

While he may be gone... his impact on FIRST, his team and his students will continue for years.

[Mr MOE]

What a tragic and surprising loss.

Dave was a great man. One of my fondest memories of Dave is being on the FIRST playing field on Friday afternoon's at the Philly Regional, where the WFFA award-winners are announced and previous winners gather to form a receiving line, and seeing Dave come down wearing his signature "plastic blue pom-pom wig." He always was there to help and to have fun.

As we hear more and more about the number of lives he touched, both directly and indirectly, it should make us proud to have known Dave and seen first-hand the fruits of his labors.

On behalf of MOE 365, our prayers go out to Dave's family, Team 103, and each life in FIRST and beyond that Dave has touched.

Dave, you will be missed.

[BandChick]

Mr. Beck was just...one of those goto guys. He was always there with a smile, ready to talk to you, or answer your questions. He did his part to make everyone feel welcome and important, to encourage learning on and off the competition field, and he helped build a great team.

I first met Dave in 2003, when I was still a student. It was the year Cybersonics won Chairman's in NJ and then down in Houston. And I remember Mr. Beck and Mr. Cokeley both screaming their lungs off, and hugging in well, more excitement than I'd ever seen.

And since then, 7 years now, he went on to do so much more.
He was one of those mentors that I think all other mentors strive to be like.
And it will be hard to be in FIRST without him.

My condolences and thoughts go out to Cassie and Cathy.
And of course to my good friends on 103.

[petek]

In this sad moment, for all of us whose lives Dave touched, there is solace in knowing that he was a great friend, mentor and force for change in his communities.

Dave's impact is felt in Palisades High School, where he created an innovative technology curriculum so that not just his team members, but all his students, can learn the lessons taught in FIRST. Dave always put his students interests above all else and a generation has benefited from his passion.

Through the Cybersonics Technology Team his efforts extended well beyond Palisades' halls. Dave and Cathy founded this team eighteen years ago to take technology education to the next level. Because of their efforts countless numbers of students have been inspired to pursue education and careers in fields that seemed unattainable to most in their rural school district. And they were encouraged to learn all the lessons of FIRST, successfully competing for awards on and off the playing field, and demonstrating gracious professionalism long before that term was coined.

Dave will be remembered for all that he achieved, but to me his greatest legacy lives on in all of those whose lives he changed. The world is a better place because of him.

[waialua359]

What a sad and unexpectful event.
To team 103, sorry to hear about your loss of a great leader and mentor.
I had the opportunity to speak with him on many occasions and we had often talked about their team coming to Hawaii with Wayne C. and team 25.

From team 359, our hearts go out to your team.

[Andy Baker]

My heart goes out to the Beck family and team 103 in this time of tragedy. Dave Beck will be greatly missed.

While Dave's impact on us all was huge, the sadness for his absence is greater.

Andy

[JaneYoung]

Illuminating
the path, a light in darkness
shines. This mentor's gift.

[Robyn Needel]

We were so sad to receive this news last night. We met Dave a number of times at competitions and were always struck by his enthusiasm, excitement for his team, knowledge and his willingness to share it all. I speak for our family and Team 768 in passing along our prayers to Dave's family and to our friends on the Cybersonics ... may his memory be a blessing to you all.

[Bharat Nain]

This news hit me like a ton of bricks and I still cannot believe it. From the first time I met Dave Beck, I knew he was a honest, humble, sincere and genuine human being. He always brought the wisdom and perspective that we lacked enlightening us in every situation. Armed with a smile on his face and an answer to just about any question, Dave Beck was the ultimate GO TO guy. He put the fun and enthusiasm into every situation and kept his calm regardless of what was going on. Every time I met him, I learned something new. It was just like yesterday at the Florida regional, I remember telling him "Mr. Beck, if you were not around we wouldn't be competing" and got the signature Dave Beck smile and then a laugh. To those of us who have had the honor of knowing him, he will be immensely missed and his legacy will always be one to learn from. My most sincere condolences to Cathy and Cassie Beck and everyone at Palisades HS. Please keep them in your prayers.

This is a very sad day for FIRST

[robotlover]

Team 1675 would like to send out our condolences to team 103 and the whole Beck family. We sympathize for your loss. If you guys need any help with anything feel free to call out on us. We'd be willing to help you in any way we can. Once again sorry for the loss.

[Akash Rastogi]

When I heard about this last night my only reaction was "I just talked to him in Philly for the first time ever."

What an amazing mentor and all around person. 11's best wishes go out to our friends at 103 and Mr. Beck's family. When our mentors got the news today they were just incredibly shocked. Mr. Beck was one to make friends with any other team or mentors, a true class act and a champion on and off the field. All the NJ and PA teams will try our best to carry on 103's spirit to Atlanta.

Stay strong 103, like you always do.

[ras103]

First and foremost, thank you to all of the teams who have sent condolence and prayer wishes. They are greatly appreciated. They say a hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart. Dave Beck was... no is the best example of a hero. I've only gotten to know him this year and I've reeped the benefits of being apart of the Beck's family, we like to call Cybersonics. We are truly one big family, and together, with the gracious support of the FIRST community we can and will get through this, coming out stronger on the other end! So once again thank you for your prayers.
~Rachel
Mr. Beck's #1 fan 2008-2009
Determined to keep his lively, passionate spirit Alive!