WOOD Radio's Rick Beckett dies

Rick Beckett, whose career evolved from a Top 40 rock jock into an acerbic talk show host, died of a heart attack Thursday night. He was 54.

Beckett called for help around 9 p.m. Thursday night. Rescuers broke down his door to get to him, but he died a short time later at the hospital.

Beckett, with Scott Winters, co-hosted the "Rick and Scott Show " on NewsRadio WOOD 1300 weekday mornings from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. for the past five years. 

Beckett and Winters worked together for nearly 15 years. They were together at WGRD-FM and WKLQ-FM before both joined NewsRadio WOOD 1300. In his bio at woodradio.com , Beckett wrote he had been doing radio for 40 years.

Beckett was born and raised in Grand Rapids. He lived on the west side of the city and graduated from Union High School.

On Monday, Beckett posted in his blog this quote from Leo Rosten: "The purpose of life is to matter, to be productive, to have it make a difference that you lived at all -- using the talents that God has given you for the betterment of others."

NewsRadio WOOD 1300 is planning a special tribute program to celebrate his life and his career, Monday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Statement from Scott Winters:

I'm at a loss for the appropriate words ...
This is a blog entry I never, ever, wanted to have to make. I'm not even sure it's possible to put complete sentences together at this point, but here goes...

On Thursday night, I received that dreaded call of the passing of a friend and co-worker, Rick Beckett.

As most of you know, Rick and I started working together when I was just a part-timer at WKLQ back in 1989. I was honored to take the job of becoming a permanent member of the "Q-Morning Zoo" in September of 1993.

Throughout those 15+ years we had a lot of fun working together on the airwaves in West Michigan. Oh sure, there were a few bumps in the road along the way, but those minor setbacks always made the team of "Rick and Scott" that much stronger.

I'm always asked, "What is Rick Beckett like off the air?" Well, he was pretty much the same person when the mic was on, as he was when the mic was off (aside from his "list of words and phrases you can't say on WOOD Radio!). One thing I don't think people realized was how big of a heart Rick had. He was always bringing in goodies for co-workers when he came into work in the morning. When we had food delivered to the station (due in part to his superb job of begging on the air), he took pleasure in making sure he could give it away to co-workers.

Needless to say, I didn't get any sleep last night. The harddrive in my head was on constant rewind, replaying so many "Rick Beckett Moments" in my brain.

We are planning a tribute my dear friend on Monday, during "The Rick and Scott Show", starting a 9 am. This will be the toughest show I will ever have to do in my career, but I'm going to try to be strong and I'm more than up for the challenge. Please feel free to call in on Monday and share your stories and memories of Rick.

I am still out of town but will be returning to Grand Rapids on Friday evening to start putting together Monday's show. Thanks for all your prayers and kind letters.

To Rick: You will be deeply missed my friend, Rest in Peace, and share the remote a little with all those around you in heaven!! And you always used to say "hold the applause until after the show", well I think now it's time for all that applause.
 

On the Net:

Rick Beckett's blog

Listen live to WOOD radio

Bill's Blog

Facebook- Friends of Rick Beckett page

Twitter-Rick Beckett

 Here's a video that was posted on YouTube by WOOD 1300 that features Rick Beckett and Scott Winters.