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

[Lil' Lavery]

The term "second father," gets thrown around a lot. But when discussing Mr. Beck, the term came up from almost everyone I talked to.
He was a terrific mentor and a terrific individual, and made a great impression upon me in our very brief encounters.
You have to look no further than the outstanding caliber and behavior of the Cybersonics to see what kind of leader he was.

I have no words to express the sorrow and condolences I want to.
Dave Beck, you will not be forgotten.

[MishraArtificer]

Originally Posted by Les Miserables, Act II

There's a grief that can't be spoken, there's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables…now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution, here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about tomorrow, but tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner, they could see a world reborn.
And they rose with voices ringing, and I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung became their last Communion on the lowly barricade…at dawn…
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me, that I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken…there's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window, phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables, where my friends will meet no more.
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me what your sacrifice was for!
Empty chairs at empty tables, where my friends will sing no more...

All the words have been said for us...

[Barry Bonzack]

The Beck family has been with 103 since the beginning, and many lives have been touched through their efforts. This thread was started this morning, and I'm just now finding out about it four pages later. I only hope to touch so many lives while I spend my time on this Earth. My prayers will be with all of those close to Dave Beck.

[Akash Rastogi]

After collecting my thoughts, I just wanted to say another thing about how Dave Beck affected me directly or indirectly.

At Philly when I talked to him for the first time, he actually already knew my name! I was thrilled at the thought of someone like him actually knowing about me. Me, a kid. Just another kid who looked up to this guy like another FIRST hero. In 2007 when I started FRC on MORT I asked our mentors who to talk to in order to learn more about FIRST, a few mentors came out such as Tim Leicht, Wayne Cokely, and then Mr. and Mrs. Beck(If you are from NJ, you know the significance of these people). Our mentors and team have great respect for anyone trying to establish a new sense of respect for engineering in their school district, and I think Mr. Beck is a testament to this. When I asked our mentors and the seniors in 2007 who our team looks up to the most, it was team 103 among the cream of the crop. Its difficult to understand how someone I've only talked to once can make such an impact on my thinking of FIRST and how a team should be run, but I have to be honest, the way he ran 103 is exactly how I want to run my future teams. Everyone on here can only hope that they can run a team half as well as Dave Beck ran 103, and that in itself is something amazing. Clearly, I wasn't the only person he affected with a brief discussion, but I d@mn sure know that I have all the respect in the world for him.

Mr. Beck, thank you for supporting my ideas for the future of FIRST teams everywhere, you will be missed terribly.

[Jreed129]

First I would like to thank everyone who has shown their sympathy towards the Beck family, and team 103.

Dave Beck, has shaped who I am today from the timid 9th grader I was when I joined team 103 to being the current president and head animator for the 2008-2009 season.

By bringing the FIRST program into Palisades School District he has help to influence hundreds of student in what we can all agree is the "right" direction.

One of the speeches that Mr. Beck gave every year or just this past year started: "Being apart of this group you are the students who get "it"..." What "it" is I think we can all see in who Dave was, a Father, Teacher, Mentor, and Friend. He truly help to spread Dean's vision of what FIRST should be and where it should lead students in today's society.

For me he will never be forgotten because he has made me the leader I am today through the FIRST program.

to end my deepest condolences go to Cathy, and Cassie Beck

"In nomine patri, et fili, spiritu sancte"

[popnbrown]

My first realization of this great man was when during 2007 NJ Regional, Mr. Beck was running down the stairs for an award and he had blue hair on in spirit of his team, and my team, the majority of whom have known Mr. Beck very well, yelled "Nice hair! Mr. Beck" From then on, I've spoken with him and met him several times, and every single time he inspired me.

I was reading all the comments above and being this is such unexpected news almost went to tears. He was such a great inspiration for my team, even though he wasn't a mentor. Everyone on my team would see him and recognize him...hey, that's mr. Beck, you know Team 103 (yes that awesome team), He's the main guy behind them.

I'm just confused..and at a loss of words. It's sad...and unfortunate...and upsetting that he won't be there to give us tips on fixing up our robot or laughing with us.

Cassie and Mrs. Beck as well as Team 103 you are one of my team's closest friends and for everything you have done for giving us the smiles and the extra cheering at Philly, thank you and offer our help in anyway we can.

Mr. Beck, although we may not have spent the most time together, you are still a man of great inspiration for me and will always be remembered in my mind and in my heart. Thank you for all that you have given us, thank you for making this world take another step. You will be dearly missed....thank you.

[Carmine Rizzo]

Team 75 and I would like to offer our condolences to the Beck Family and to Team 103. This is sad event for the FIRST family. I have known Dave for several years and I am sadden with this news and still shocked. Dave has been a familiar face in the NJ venue and is a person we would like to emulate when it comes to Mentoring. May we keep Dave and his family in our thoughts and prayers and never forget his goals and dreams.

Carmine
Lead Mentor Team 75

[EricVanWyk]

I've spoken to many people today about the news, and read each post several times. In doing so, my feelings have moved from grief and sorrow to happiness and inspiration.

I believe that admiration is the seed of grief. Identify this admiration and introspect. Find the pieces of his life that you admire and want, and incorporate them into your own. It is the duty of those left behind to look to the departed's life as a means to reflect on their own: The clarity of death which allows us to focus on what is truly important is their final gift.

In this vein, Dave leaves us with a lot to think about. He was an inspiring individual that gives each of us a bit of direction, and I am happy to see all of the lives he has given to.

Thank You Dave.

[Cascade]

Condolences from 1622, peace be with you all.

[nlknauss]

Dave Beck certainly touched my life and was certainly one of a few influences who made me want to be a Technology Education Teacher. I've had the pleasure of having a few conversations with him over years as a student and a mentor and can always remember walking away feeling grateful for the time spent. Dave always greeted me with a "hello" or a wave at every glance and was always willing to answer any question I had. Much of how my rookie team is assembled this year is a result of those conversations and influences he had.

Tonight, I actually had a parents' meeting for my team's trip down to Atlanta next week. One of the team's new advisors began to talk about the qualities of the FIRST program in the values it brings to us as individuals. When he was done, I couldn't help but mention Dave as an example of those qualities and that I wished my students were able to meet him (not in fewer words).

Dave Beck is the standard for us to model as mentors, leaders, and gracious professionals to our students well into the future.

This is certainly way to soon. Condolences go out to the Becks, Team 103, and Palisades HS for their loss personally and from Team 2729.

Sincerely,
Nate

[Al Skierkiewicz]

May I pass along condolences from Wildstang. There are few enough good people that go out and help where needed. Dave will be missed.

[Karthik]

Dave Beck was a great man. May peace be with him.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

[Pat Roche]

I am in complete shock. Hearing this news is like being hit by a freight train. I'd like to pass my most heartfelt condolences to the Beck family. The passing of Dave Beck sends a ripple through our entire community. I first met Dave Beck back in 2002 at the UTC regional. I competed every year of high school and several times since leaving high school, with Cybersonics. One of the most striking things was the affection his students showed him. The love that was shown for him is absolutely incredible. He led with grace, integrity and passion. He was always there to lend a helping hand and exchange ideas. He was also a visionary with a mind to the future of how to evolve the program as a whole. There are very few mentors who do what he did for our community. I feel truly privileged to have known him for these short few years. There are not enough good words that can be said about him nor sorrowful ones at that news of his passing. It is a deep cut to lose such an amazing man as Dave Beck. May peace be with you now Mr. Beck.


-Patrick Roche

[DCA Fan]

My sincere condolences to 103 and the Beck Family. I met Dave many years ago at Championships and was amazed at his energy and passion for FIRST. His passing is a huge loss to the FIRST community.

[coldfusion1279]

Team 1279 offers our condolences and prayers for Dave Beck's family an friends in this difficult time. Know that our team looks up to the team that Mr. Beck built as a shining role model of FIRST. Rest in peace.