HOLLYWOOD, Fla. \u2014 For more than 20 years, Robert Becker \u2014 better known as \u201cMr. B\u201d \u2014 served as principal at Embassy Creek Elementary School in Hollywood. He died from cancer a year and a half ago.<\/p>\n
Coach Larry Lynch, one of Mr. B\u2019s closest friends and colleagues, remembers their years of racing together.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did the NYC Marathon together in \u201992. We\u2019ve done races from Key West up to Gasparilla in Tampa,\u201d Lynch said.<\/p>\n
Lynch, who still teaches physical education at Embassy Creek Elementary, said Mr. B dedicated more than 30 years of his life to students.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was always able to connect to every type of kid on our campus, from kindergarten to fifth grade, from the kids who were totally motivated to the kids that needed a little motivation,\u201d Lynch said.<\/p>\n
Motivation was something Becker never lacked. Inside the school\u2019s front office, his smile still greets visitors. Just outside, the street where the school sits now bears his name.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad was very passionate about his job. He loved being a principal, would come home and talk about stories, never complained,\u201d said his son, Brian Becker. \u201cWhen he was sick, the whole time he was only focused on work and running.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saturday at 7:30 a.m., runners and walkers will take off from at the Brian Piccolo Sports Park & Velodrome in Hollywood to celebrate his life and legacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only is it to raise awareness about an extremely rare form of leiomyosarcoma,\u201d said Brian Becker, \u201cbut I think that during his 20 years he impacted so many people in the community, that to allow him to continue inspiring and to continue helping students with scholarships and stuff like that, which is what we are raising the funds for.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the billboard reads, proceeds will support sarcoma research and scholarships for Broward County students \u2014 something Mr. B championed until his very last day.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo help people realize how much he truly fought and how resilient he was,\u201d Brian Becker added. <\/p>\n
Lynch said his friend\u2019s determination never wavered.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was here on a daily basis when he probably wasn\u2019t physically capable of being here, but this is where he wanted to be, that was what he was and it was so encouraging,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cHe fought the fight and he was here up to the last days.\u201d<\/p>\n