Wendell Becker

Age 93, passed away November 16, 2005 at Park Place Retirement Center, Hendersonville, TN. He was born December 28, 1911 in Melbourne, Iowa to Frank and Annie Elizabeth Masters Becker. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers Raymond, Claude, Ralph, Elmer and Lester and three sisters Clara, Mabel, and Ina. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Fern Swisher Becker of Hendersonville, three sons, Dr. Jerry Donna Becker, of Salem, Oregon, Kenneth Linda Becker of Hendersonville, and Dr. Steve Jean Becker of Libby, Montana, two daughters, Sandra Dr. Gus Scott of Prescott, Arizona, Kay Ben Lasater of Hendersonville, one sister, Edith Arganbright of Rochester, New York, eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Mr. Becker graduated from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa where he was the catcher for the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team. He earned his degree in Electrical Engineering in 1937 and he took a position with TVA in Knoxville, TN where he worked for six years. In 1943 the family moved to Oak Ridge, TN, where Mr. Becker worked with Tennessee Eastman with the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb. In 1954, he once again moved his family, this time to Manchester, TN where he worked at Arnold Engineering Development Center. Mr. Becker retired in December 1973. During the 32 years of his retirement, he and his wife spent most winters in Mesa, Arizona. They enjoyed their travels across the United States visiting family and friends. In 1982 Mr. Becker and his wife moved to Hendersonville, TN. He was always active in the United Methodist Church, Little League, Round Pattern Dancing, Bridge, and his children's activities. He was proudest of his children and their accomplishments. A private memorial service is to be held Saturday, November 19 officiated by Rev. Ben Alexander and Rev. Lynn Hinkle. Entombment will follow in Hendersonville Memory Gardens Mausoleum. No Visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, Sumner County Schools Call Linda Bradley 451-5206, Sumner Hospice, or the J.A. Swisher Foundation C/O Diane Denneny, 3231 Hastings Ave., Iowa City, Iowa 52245. Arrangements by the Hendersonville Memory Gardens & Funeral Home.