Correction – A previous version of this article misspelled the names of two professors, Pat McKean and Nancy Redmond. The article also misspelled the name of the Viking paper.
Former Viking Newspaper Editor in Chief, Sean Belk, 36, died on Jan. 11, from a head-on collision.
Belk attended Long Beach City College from 2003-2005.
Although, his time at LBCC was short, he left a legacy that would transcend generations.
Like many, Belk entered LBCC without the slightest idea of what he was going to do with his life.
After spotting his natural talent and ability to place together words, Nancy Redmond, Belk’s former professor at LBCC, urged him to pursue a career in journalism.
Under the mentorship of Pat Mckean, a former Viking Newspaper advisor, Belk flourished as a writer, reporter, and all-around journalist.
During his time on the Viking, Belk had proved himself to be an award winning student, whose work was recognized from renowned organizations such as the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.
Belk and Mckean kept in consistent contact with one another throughout the years.
Mckean described Belk as a student who was friendly, always willing to help, and showed great promise as a journalist.
On the newspaper, Belk also formed an eternal friendship with fellow Viking staff writer and professional journalist, Kirt Ramirez.
“Sean took journalism very seriously, he would be up all night working on his stories. He worked really hard and was a very good writer,” said Ramirez.
“He loved everyone and everyone liked him, which is very uncommon with people.”
Belk received his Associate of Arts Degree in Journalism from LBCC in 2005, and matriculated to California State University, Fullerton where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications in 2009.
Belk transitioned into working for major newspapers in the Long Beach area such as the Long Beach Business Journal, Press-Telegram, Signal Tribune, and the Long Beach Beachcomber.
Jay Beeler, publisher at the Long Beach Beachcomber, recounted Belk as being a journalist who had a good sense of what news was.
As Beeler would explain it, as a professional journalist, Belk was organized, always on target, an outstanding writer, and always took the initiative to do stories.
“Sean was a pretty unique individual. When he passed, the people he interviewed, from the Mayor of Long Beach, to PR people, to Long Beach locals, called to pay their respects.” said Beeler.
Journalism was not Belk’s only forte, he was a multifaceted musician and had a passionate love for the ocean.
Loved ones and relatives of Belk can all attest to his impactful acts of kindness.
On Dec. 26, 2018 Belk expressed on his Facebook profile, “Found a man’s wallet outside of 7-11 on the ground today with a wad of cash inside. I turned it into the clerk. The clerk told me later he was very glad to get it back because it had his entire rent money. Good deed done for today…”
This single act of goodwill and numerous other accounts is the reason why many commenters on his Facebook profile, including Don Belk, who said Belk had a “heart of gold” and touched lives.
Ramirez strongly believed Belk served as an inspiration and positive influence.
“Sean’s father was a boater. I’ll never forget when he took me along with his family to Catalina Island in 2006. It was my first time. Now, whenever I see Catalina, I think of Sean.” Ramirez said.
Belk’s memorial took place on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, the day after his birthday.
It was an intimate gathering with Belk’s close friends and family, who all took the time to share their moving memories of Belk.
They then gathered on a boat, set sail, and scattered Belk’s ashes into the Long Beach Harbor.
“We will all miss Sean.” said Beeler.