Local Rochester area war hero dies at age 74

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Rochester area is saying its sad goodbyes to a local war hero.

Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch has died.

Beikirch served as a combat medic with the U.S. Army Special Forces. Beikirch’s heroic achievements and decades of service to the community were so impactful, the Monroe County Legislature voted to name the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Highland Park after him.

Beikirch had been in a long battle with cancer.

"He is now at peace, no more pain, only joy forevermore," his daughter Stephanie Lynn Zimmerli said in Facebook post Sunday evening.

He was 74.