Obit: Becker, Richard A. (? - 1988)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Becker, Fink

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 5/26/1988

Becker, Richard A. (? – 26 April 1988) With Flag

Friends here have received word late last week of the death in Corona, CA, of Richard A. Becker, who taught in the Neillsville School System from 1929-1941, and is remembered by many old-timers. He went to Corona following his discharge from the army and served there for many years as junior high school band instructor, and later as a school principal.

A native of Brillion, Becker came to Neillsville as a combination band and manual arts teacher following his graduation from Oshkosh state college (now the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh). He was one of a trio of outstanding instructors brought into the school system at that time. The other two were the late Donald E. Peters, who served for many years as superintendent of schools; and John W. Perkins, who was recognized as one of the top high school agricultural teachers in Wisconsin.

Soon after his arrival here, Becker started to develop the high school band into an outstanding concert and marching band. During the 1930’s, his organization, supported by an active, enthusiastic band mothers’ group, became recognized as one of the outstanding high school musical groups of the state. His band are responsible for a large number of trophies now on display in trophy cases in the high school.

During the 1930’s, Becker’s high school band presented weekly summer concerts on the old courthouse lawn. Their appearances were underwritten by the city of Neillsville.

While in Neillsville, Becker married Esther Fink, a kindergarten teacher and a native of Bloomer. She died about a year ago in California.

During the war Becker served in the India-Burma Theatre.

He died April 26, following a massive heart stroke the previous day. Earlier this year he had undergone surgery for six bypasses. He was 80.