Rest in Peace, Sarah Becking

by The Boy on Jul 8, 2008 10:48 AM CDT

UPDATED, 2:36pm: Bill Carter shared an absolutely phenomenal pic in comments, and I wanted it at the top of the post. Sarah in action:

The Mizzou family has suffered a giant loss, as Sarah Becking has succumbed to what seemed to be a rather prolonged fight against cancer. She leaves behind a husband and a couple small children. In our short time at RMN (and Mizzou Sanity/Every True Son before that), we've used her photos many, many times, as they've been just about the best place for documenting the ups and downs of the last few Mizzou seasons. I encourage you to visit the Beckings' site and post some of your favorite pics in the comments section below. I'll get it started.

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Truly a day of mourning

When I first contacted Sarah about the use of her photos back on Every True Son, she said she would be absolutely thrilled to be included, on one condition: That her name never be used to portray the University of Missouri in a negative light.

As photographers go, she was arguably the best ambassador for the University of Missouri that anyone could ask for. It seems hard to believe that we’ll begin and end a potentially historic 2008 season without the photos of Sarah to document our memories along the way.

My best to her young children and to her husband. Rock M and the Mizzou community as a whole is a lonelier place today.

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by rptgwb on Jul 8, 2008 10:55 AM CDT 0 recs

Some favorites

Nebraska 07:

Post Cotton Bowl:

Perry torching Talib:

Daniel’s grand entrance against ISU:

Bd. Smith in the Independence Bowl:

Finally beating Nebraska:

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by rptgwb on Jul 8, 2008 11:05 AM CDT 0 recs

Just so saddened to hear this...

James Kinney against NU in 2003

This one will always be one of my favorites, as it was my favorite play from that game. My memories of that play are standing on the my seat (bench) and seeing Kinney get in there very quickly. As he hit the QB, I jumped, and I guess standing in the middle of the bench, it bowed a bit and I got air-time I would not normally (alright…ever) get. I remember being up in the air, waiting to come down. It is one of my more fun memories of Mizzou and I kept that picture for a long time as my desktop to remind me of that marvelous day.

A true loss to the MIzzou family, my heart goes out to her family.

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous

by The Beef on Jul 8, 2008 11:08 AM CDT 0 recs

the hardest news to hear

I didn’t know Sarah and I didn’t know she was sick. But I knew her work like the back of my hand. When I was working on True Sons, the athletic department opened up its photo archives for me, and a lot of it was hit-or-miss stuff. But as I got closer to present day, the pictures became vibrant and lively and perfect, and it didn’t take long before I didn’t have to turn a photo over to see the credit. A Sarah Becking photo was as distinctive as a fingerprint.

Like I said, I didn’t know Sarah, but I do know the love of a good woman, the joy of children, and the day-in, day-out, grindstone work that it takes to maintain a family. I don’t know Jason or the kids, and I can’t fathom their grief, but I hope it will help them in the smallest way to know that family, friends and even strangers have them in their thoughts and prayers.

by Michael Atchison on Jul 8, 2008 11:15 AM CDT 0 recs

As I'm reading through this,

My iTunes is on random, and shuffles to Yellowcard’s “View From Heaven.”

“And I’m sure the view from heaven,
beats the hell out of mine here.
And if we all believe in heaven,
maybe we’ll make it through one more year, down here”

She may have the best seats in the house for 2008.

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by rptgwb on Jul 8, 2008 11:24 AM CDT 0 recs

Just wanted to pass along my thoughts...

I knew Sarah through covering Tiger games the last few years and she was a great woman. Saw her about a month ago and would never have thought it would be the last time. My prayers are with Jason and his children in a time I can’t even pretend to understand.

Gabe DeArmond

by GabeD on Jul 8, 2008 11:54 AM CDT 0 recs

Thanks, gabe. (nm)

http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!

by The Boy on Jul 8, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

She was fun

she will be missed.

by Bill Carter on Jul 8, 2008 12:00 PM CDT 0 recs

I assume that is of her doing what she clearly loved

What a great shot…thanks Bill.

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous

by The Beef on Jul 8, 2008 12:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're right, Beef.

What a telling photograph. And here’s the end result:

I think the outpouring of support on TB, PM, SMS, and here at RMN only go to show how much her work was admired and beloved by everyone who followed Mizzou athletics.

http://www.RockMNation.com
Chance McDanielson for Heisman

by rptgwb on Jul 8, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

You know what I see there?

I see the most MIZZOU fans to see a game at Faurot since I have been there in 1995. That crowd of just over 66.000 with maybe a few hundred aTm fans was one of my biggest surprises of the season in a season full of them.

"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever." - Anonymous

by The Beef on Jul 8, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Pretty speechless about all of this

I never had the pleasure of meeting Sarah, but I definitely felt like I knew her after watching her capture Mizzou’s best moments on film for the past few seasons. It just won’t be the same without her. It really is unfair.

1000 words doesn’t begin to describe a lot of her work:

by ZouDave on Jul 8, 2008 2:04 PM CDT 0 recs

So sad

Long time viewer of this site and Everytrueson…joined today just to give my condolences to Jason and his kids. Didn’t know Sarah, but have talked to her a few times and always got excited about looking through her Post-game pictures of Football and Basketball games seeing if I happened to get in any shots. She even got some of me at the New Years Party in Dallas that I will never forget. So many pictures of hers from Mizzou games all over my My Pictures folder. She will be missed.

by tigerbball88 on Jul 8, 2008 2:15 PM CDT 0 recs

Terribly Sad

I was stunned to hear this news today. I did not know her personally, but knew others who always had the highest respect and great things to say about her. On top of that, she had a great talent that I, along with others, will miss. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family & I hope they take some comfort knowing she is in a better place. Rest in peace Sarah.

Jesse

by Zoo Keeper on Jul 8, 2008 8:21 PM CDT 0 recs

thanks, zk...

...it’s neat how many people really didn’t know her, but very much felt like they knew her because of her work and because of their website…they’re very clearly good people…

http://www.rockmnation.com
Thrust nunchuk upward!

by The Boy on Jul 9, 2008 5:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't know her either

Like most people here, I didn’t know Sarah, but her love for Mizzou came across in her pictures. A non-Tiger could never have taken those shots. Such a shame to lose someone so young, but how lucky we all are to have enjoyed her work while she was here.

by chitowntiger on Jul 9, 2008 1:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Obituary For Sarah Elizabeth Messer Becking - My Sister

Thank you to all of you. Truly, your words are kind and help us to know our Sarah impacted so many people. Please see her obituary written by her husband Jason below.

Sarah Elizabeth Messer Becking passed away on Monday, July 7, 2008, in Kenner, Louisiana, in the presence of her husband and parents. She was 36 years old.

Sarah was born June 7, 1972, in Englewood, Colorado, and spent her early years in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas. Her family moved to Columbia in 1988, where she attended Rock Bridge High School, graduating in 1990. She then earned a Bachelors of Journalism from the University of Missouri where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega, before having a successful career in photography, first in San Antonio, Texas, then in Columbia.

Most recently Sarah was known for her photographs of children, families, and Mizzou sporting events. She also enjoyed her involvement in PEO Sisterhood and volunteering with the Journalism School’s Pictures of the Year International She was a loving wife, a great friend, had a happy spirit, saw the best in people, and was an outstanding mother.

Sarah is survived by her parents Cynthia Messer and Nathaniel Messer IV; her brother, Michael Messer; her husband Jason Becking; and their children Adelaide and Jack, all from Columbia. She was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews; brothers- and sisters-in-law, a large number of others whom she considered brothers and sisters; and numerous friends scattered across the country who each feel their time with her was too short.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 11, from 4 – 7 p.m., at Launer Auditorium on the campus of Columbia College. A celebration of her life will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, also in Launer Auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those interested to consider donating to any of the following:

Palliative Care Gift Account
Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Development Office
One Hospital Drive, DC066.00
Columbia, MO 65212

POYi
Missouri School of Journalism
103 Neff Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

Adelaide and Jack Becking Education Account
Boone County National Bank
PO Box 678
Columbia, MO 65205

Or a charity of your choice.

by messermp on Jul 10, 2008 12:30 PM CDT 0 recs

SEMB Thanks

I’d like to thank everyone for the expressions of sympathy and support and especially thank those that posted remembrances of Sarah and/or her photos.

It was very helpful to Sarah’s family and friends to read those kind words. We even used some as displays for the service.

Again, thanks.

Jason Becking

by jbecking on Jul 15, 2008 10:48 AM CDT 0 recs