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

[GaryVoshol]

I didn't even know it, but it sounds like Dave Beck should have been on my "must meet someday" list. Now that meeting must be postponed - but it will happen.

My condolences to his family, his team, and all those he has touched over the years.

[howelles]

To the Beck family and Team 103, my sincerest condolences. I only wish I could have known him better. That which I do know causes me to desire to be like him in many ways.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might". Dave is one of the FIRST heroes.

[DBodmer19]

The news of Dave's passing is a shock to all of us in the FIRST community. We will all miss his dedication and vision for FIRST. Team 11 sends our prayers and condolences to Cathy, Cassie and the entire Cybersonics Family. May everyone find comfort during this very difficult time.

[jessjank.]

Link to a well written local news article on Dave's passing: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30083626/ and http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news...beck-dies.html (contains photos)

Still feeling so very lost.

[Jreed129]

Here's the information that just came out. Please pass the info to everyone else who would want it.


Calling hours on Thursday, April 9th from 9-11 a.m. followed by a service from 11 a.m.-12 noon at the Bachman, Kulick, and Reinsmith Funeral Home, 1629 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA (across the street from St. Luke’s Hospital-Allentown).
The family will allow people to speak about Dave and share their memories following the service.
Burial will be at the Resurrection Cemetery


From 78 East (from Harrisburg, Kutztown)
78 East to Hamilton Blvd Exit (Exit 54). At Light off exit turn Left on Hamilton Blvd. Continue on Hamilton Blvd., (which turns into Hamilton Street) for 3 miles. As you pass 19th Street, get into the Left Lane. Stay on Hamilton Street, cross 17th Street, and the entrance for the parking lot will be two hundred feet on your left.

From Interstate 78 West (from NY, NJ, Bethlehem)
78 West, to Hamilton Blvd Exit (Exit 54 B). Continue on Hamilton Blvd., (which turns into Hamilton Street) for 3 miles. As you pass 19th Street, get into the Left Lane. Stay on Hamilton Street, cross 17th Street, and the entrance for the parking lot will be two hundred feet on your left.

From Philadelphia
Northeast Extension (476 N.) to Lehigh Valley Exit. Follow 22 East for one exit to 309 South. Follow 309S to Hamilton Blvd Exit (Exit 54). At light off exit turn Left Hamilton Blvd. Continue on Hamilton Blvd., (which turns into Hamilton Street) for 3 miles. As you pass 19th Street, get into the Left Lane. Stay on Hamilton Street, cross 17th Street, and the entrance for the parking lot will be two hundred feet on your left.

From Rt 22 East (From Cetronia, Western Allentown)
22 East to 15th Street Exit. At light off exit turn Right onto 15th Street. Continue on 15th Street to Tilghman Street. Turn Right on Tilghman Street. Go 2 blocks to 17th Street and turn Left. Follow 17th Street to Hamilton Street. Funeral Home on Left on corner of 17th & Hamilton Streets.

From Rt 22 West (from Phillipsburg NJ, Easton, Bethlehem)
22 West to 15th Street Exit. At light off exit turn Left onto 15th Street. Continue on 15th Street to Tilghman Street. Turn Right on Tilghman Street. Go 2 blocks to 17th Street and turn Left. Follow 17th Street to Hamilton Street. Funeral Home is on Left on corner of 17th & Hamilton Streets.

From Scranton
South on Northeast Extension (476 S.) to Lehigh Valley Exit. Follow 22 East to 309 South. Follow 309S to Hamilton Blvd Exit (Exit 54). At light off exit turn Left onto Hamilton Blvd. Continue on Hamilton Blvd., (which turns into Hamilton Street) for 3 miles. As you pass 19th Street, get into the Left Lane. Stay on Hamilton Street, cross 17th Street, and the entrance for the parking lot will be two hundred feet on your left.

[BrianT103]

Dave Beck was an incredible mentor, teacher and friend. The first time I walked through the doors of Palisades High School 4 years ago, I knew that I would be in good company with Mr. Beck. Dave was the most influential and inspiring man of my life, and the success of the team is a direct result of this man's hard work and dedication to empowering his students. Over the past days I have come to terms with his death, but I will never forget his legacy and most of all his passion for excellence. Most teachers are willing to stay after school for a couple of hours to help their students, but Mr. Beck is the only teacher that I had that is willing to sacrifice so much time and energy for the betterment of his students(along with mrs. beck and mr. reilly). There were so many things that I wanted to say to him when I graduated, but hopefully he realized just how big of an impact he had on my life. The man is truly irreplaceable.

Here's to an amazing four years, I will miss you dearly.

[hayleybayley217]

Aww...
I've wanted to post something, but I am speechless with what to say. The more I read the more I wish I met this guy.

To Team 103 and the Beck Family: You guys are in out prayers. I know from experience that losing someone that has inspired you, as much as David Beck has, is really hard. The ThunderChickens went through a lost of a close teacher early Dec. of last year. If you guys ever need anything, just let us know. Just remember you have the FIRST family behind you.<3

[jessjank.]

I finally have had some time to sit and think without crying and thought I'd add some words about Mr. Beck. Dave Beck sacrificed so much for the good of so many others, in particular for the team. He lived, breathed, and bled Cybersonics. In doing so, he made an impact on more people than I think he ever realized, because through each of us who he met and influenced he has and will continue to make an impact on others. The sacrifices he made in his life to ensure that we had the best possible experience of anyone in FIRST certainly prepared us for so much to come in our futures. He recognized what it took to be successful and achieve greatness, and worked so incredibly hard to make it happen while still having more fun than anyone else. Though he asked us to, in his words, commit "unreasonable" amounts of time and energy to the team, we could be certain that this was a completely worthwhile investment because Mr. Beck believed in it so unwaveringly. His perseverance pushed and motivated me to achieve my greatest potential and made me realize just how much I wanted to stay involved with FIRST even after I graduated and left the team. I want to make sure others get to experience everything we had a chance to experience on 103 because we had Mr. Beck as our mentor, teacher, leader, friend, father figure, and hero. You don't know how much I am going to miss that big "bobo" with the blue wig and mischievous grin... Thank you for everything Mr. Beck.

[jessjank.]

Some people have been asking for this information. Thanks for everyone's support. I know Cathy, Cassie, and all of team 103 (past and present) are all so very appreciative.

Flowers may sent to the funeral home:
Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, P.C.
1629 Hamilton Street
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18102
Phone: 610-432-4128
Fax: 610-965-1121

Donations may be sent to:
The Leukemia Lymphoma Society
ATTN: Dr. Bart Kamen
1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605

[slickguy2007]

I am still so shocked by this news. This is one of the few times in my life that I really don't know what to say. After reading through all the posts, I realize that everyone already knows what kind of man David Beck was. His kindness, love for life, and generosity are all things that everyone admired about him. Anyone that knew Beck knows that he had a certain inspirational charm that only a few people in this world possess. He will be deeply missed by the FIRST family.

Team 103, Beck was a great mentor and leader. It is very hard to lose someone like that. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Cassie and Mrs.Beck, I would like to offer my condolences. I can only imagine what you must be going through. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Requiscat in Pace, David Beck

[GeorgeTheEng]

The service today was beautiful and it was wonderful to here all the incredible words about him. I know that he would have been overwhelmed by the turnout from the community, his friends, family, and his FIRST family.

[BRAVESaj25bd8]

Thank you for everything Mr. Beck. I am so grateful to have known such a wonderful man. I will miss you. We will all miss you. Once again, thank you for everything.

[Wayne C.]

Announcement-

Team 11 MORT is creating commemorative robot stickers for teams at the Championships to honor Dave. This is akin to the way MLB and NFL players put a fallen comrade's number on their helmet to remember them.

I urge all teams who knew Dave or played with the Cybersonics over the years to stop by 11's pits on Thursday and get a sticker. They are in Galileo.

WC

[Kyle]

I had the pleasure to meet Mr. Beck at many competitions throughout my time in FIRST, he was always glad to talk about everything and anything to do with 103 or FIRST and was always a pleasure to talk to, my deepest condolences to team 103 and the Beck family.

[Akash Rastogi]

Thanks Wayne, I'll post up some things once everything is finalized. We hope that what we've done shows our sincere respect for David Beck. I'll keep everyone posted.