FDNY firefighter who stood next to Bush in famous photo after 9/11 attacks dies at 91

Bob Beckwith, a retired New York City Fire Department firefighter who was captured in a famous photo standing next to President George W. Bush in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, has died. He was 91.

His wife, Barbara Beckwith said he had cancer and died Sunday night in hospice care, the Associated Press reported.

Beckwith was 69 and already retired from the FDNY for seven years following a 30-year career at Ladder Co. 164 in Queens, when he, along with other current firefighters and first responders, rushed to ground zero after the attacks on the World Trade Center to help with the search and rescue efforts.

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Beckwith became known as a hero after 9/11

He stood with Bush as the president gave a speech to the first responders who had been working nonstop in the hours and days after the hijacked planes crashed and collapsed the twin towers.

In 2011, Beckwith told the Associated Press he was looking for a good view of the president when Bush made an unexpected detour and hopped on the Engine Co. 76 truck where Beckwith was standing. He helped the president get on the truck and was about to step down when Bush stopped him, and the famous photo was then taken of the two.

Barbara Beckwith told the Associated Press after his death that her husband was "just lucky. He was at the right place, at the right time, and that’s why he’s famous. But he was a regular guy. Well-liked and quiet. Just a regular Joe."

Beckwith's wake will be Friday, and he will be buried Saturday on Long Island. He had six children, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bob Beckwith, FDNY firefighter in 9/11 photo with Bush, dies at 91