MOBILE/HORNELL BECKER
Robert Eugene Becker- 86, died peacefully at home Friday (December 19, 2008). Bob was born July 31, 1922 in Wellsboro, PA the son of Frank E. and Gerouldine VanCampen Becker. He was a 1940 graduate of Hornell High School and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between September 1941 and December 1942. He was called up from inactive reserves to active duty in the Army Air Corps February 1943 at Fort Niagara, NY. After basic training in St. Petersburg, FL, schools in Denver, CO, and training in Salina, KS he served as a top gunner on B-29's in the China-Burma-India theatre. After recovering from an eye injury, he was eager to get off the flight line and became a tail gunner on the "Ready Betty" with the 468th Bomb Group (792nd Squadron) making 26 missions. He was stationed on Tinian Island and was flying over the Battleship Missouri as the Peace Treaty was being signed. Decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals. Later in life, Bob remained active with his WWII group attending reunions and serving as a secretary/historian for the squadron and assisting with fund raising for the New England Air Museum 58th Bomb Wing Memorial. Upon discharge at Fort Dix, NJ in October 1945, he attended college on the GI Bill at Alfred University graduating in 1949 and then Kansas University (GO JAY HAWKS!) earning his Masters Degree in 1953. Bob had played college basketball and remained a huge fan. Bob went to Alaska in 1957 working for the state at the Arctic Health Research Center in Anchorage and then at Fort Wainwright at the USAF Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory in Fairbanks. In 1966 they moved to San Antonio, TX, where he worked at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB and then in 1970, moved to Dauphin Island, AL retiring from US Food & Drug Administration in 1987. He helped build a 48ft wooden-hulled shrimp boat with a buddy from the keel up; had been active with the Masonic Lodge in Bayou La Batre; and was a member of General Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. The Becker's lived in Coden for 35 years. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Virginia O'Dell and his son R. Jason Becker who died in 1990. His wife Joan, of 45 years, and daughter Jamie from Fort Worth, TX will receive friends Tuesday, December 23, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home. Burial will be in Arkport, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New England Air Museum (www.neam.org) Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL. (251)653-4781
Published in the Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama on 12/23/2008
Robert Eugene Becker- 86, died peacefully at home Friday (December 19, 2008). Bob was born July 31, 1922 in Wellsboro, PA the son of Frank E. and Gerouldine VanCampen Becker. He was a 1940 graduate of Hornell High School and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between September 1941 and December 1942. He was called up from inactive reserves to active duty in the Army Air Corps February 1943 at Fort Niagara, NY. After basic training in St. Petersburg, FL, schools in Denver, CO, and training in Salina, KS he served as a top gunner on B-29's in the China-Burma-India theatre. After recovering from an eye injury, he was eager to get off the flight line and became a tail gunner on the "Ready Betty" with the 468th Bomb Group (792nd Squadron) making 26 missions. He was stationed on Tinian Island and was flying over the Battleship Missouri as the Peace Treaty was being signed. Decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals. Later in life, Bob remained active with his WWII group attending reunions and serving as a secretary/historian for the squadron and assisting with fund raising for the New England Air Museum 58th Bomb Wing Memorial. Upon discharge at Fort Dix, NJ in October 1945, he attended college on the GI Bill at Alfred University graduating in 1949 and then Kansas University (GO JAY HAWKS!) earning his Masters Degree in 1953. Bob had played college basketball and remained a huge fan. Bob went to Alaska in 1957 working for the state at the Arctic Health Research Center in Anchorage and then at Fort Wainwright at the USAF Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory in Fairbanks. In 1966 they moved to San Antonio, TX, where he worked at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB and then in 1970, moved to Dauphin Island, AL retiring from US Food & Drug Administration in 1987. He helped build a 48ft wooden-hulled shrimp boat with a buddy from the keel up; had been active with the Masonic Lodge in Bayou La Batre; and was a member of General Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. The Becker's lived in Coden for 35 years. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Virginia O'Dell and his son R. Jason Becker who died in 1990. His wife Joan, of 45 years, and daughter Jamie from Fort Worth, TX will receive friends Tuesday, December 23, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home. Burial will be in Arkport, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New England Air Museum (www.neam.org) Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL. (251)653-4781
Published in the Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama on 12/23/2008
MOBILE/HORNELL BECKER
Robert Eugene Becker- 86, died peacefully at home Friday (December 19, 2008). Bob was born July 31, 1922 in Wellsboro, PA the son of Frank E. and Gerouldine VanCampen Becker. He was a 1940 graduate of Hornell High School and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between September 1941 and December 1942. He was called up from inactive reserves to active duty in the Army Air Corps February 1943 at Fort Niagara, NY. After basic training in St. Petersburg, FL, schools in Denver, CO, and training in Salina, KS he served as a top gunner on B-29's in the China-Burma-India theatre. After recovering from an eye injury, he was eager to get off the flight line and became a tail gunner on the "Ready Betty" with the 468th Bomb Group (792nd Squadron) making 26 missions. He was stationed on Tinian Island and was flying over the Battleship Missouri as the Peace Treaty was being signed. Decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals. Later in life, Bob remained active with his WWII group attending reunions and serving as a secretary/historian for the squadron and assisting with fund raising for the New England Air Museum 58th Bomb Wing Memorial. Upon discharge at Fort Dix, NJ in October 1945, he attended college on the GI Bill at Alfred University graduating in 1949 and then Kansas University (GO JAY HAWKS!) earning his Masters Degree in 1953. Bob had played college basketball and remained a huge fan. Bob went to Alaska in 1957 working for the state at the Arctic Health Research Center in Anchorage and then at Fort Wainwright at the USAF Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory in Fairbanks. In 1966 they moved to San Antonio, TX, where he worked at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB and then in 1970, moved to Dauphin Island, AL retiring from US Food & Drug Administration in 1987. He helped build a 48ft wooden-hulled shrimp boat with a buddy from the keel up; had been active with the Masonic Lodge in Bayou La Batre; and was a member of General Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. The Becker's lived in Coden for 35 years. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Virginia O'Dell and his son R. Jason Becker who died in 1990. His wife Joan, of 45 years, and daughter Jamie from Fort Worth, TX will receive friends Tuesday, December 23, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home. Burial will be in Arkport, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New England Air Museum (www.neam.org) Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL. (251)653-4781
Published in the Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama on 12/23/2008
Robert Eugene Becker- 86, died peacefully at home Friday (December 19, 2008). Bob was born July 31, 1922 in Wellsboro, PA the son of Frank E. and Gerouldine VanCampen Becker. He was a 1940 graduate of Hornell High School and attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between September 1941 and December 1942. He was called up from inactive reserves to active duty in the Army Air Corps February 1943 at Fort Niagara, NY. After basic training in St. Petersburg, FL, schools in Denver, CO, and training in Salina, KS he served as a top gunner on B-29's in the China-Burma-India theatre. After recovering from an eye injury, he was eager to get off the flight line and became a tail gunner on the "Ready Betty" with the 468th Bomb Group (792nd Squadron) making 26 missions. He was stationed on Tinian Island and was flying over the Battleship Missouri as the Peace Treaty was being signed. Decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals. Later in life, Bob remained active with his WWII group attending reunions and serving as a secretary/historian for the squadron and assisting with fund raising for the New England Air Museum 58th Bomb Wing Memorial. Upon discharge at Fort Dix, NJ in October 1945, he attended college on the GI Bill at Alfred University graduating in 1949 and then Kansas University (GO JAY HAWKS!) earning his Masters Degree in 1953. Bob had played college basketball and remained a huge fan. Bob went to Alaska in 1957 working for the state at the Arctic Health Research Center in Anchorage and then at Fort Wainwright at the USAF Arctic Aeromedical Laboratory in Fairbanks. In 1966 they moved to San Antonio, TX, where he worked at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks AFB and then in 1970, moved to Dauphin Island, AL retiring from US Food & Drug Administration in 1987. He helped build a 48ft wooden-hulled shrimp boat with a buddy from the keel up; had been active with the Masonic Lodge in Bayou La Batre; and was a member of General Galvez Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. The Becker's lived in Coden for 35 years. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Virginia O'Dell and his son R. Jason Becker who died in 1990. His wife Joan, of 45 years, and daughter Jamie from Fort Worth, TX will receive friends Tuesday, December 23, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home. Burial will be in Arkport, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New England Air Museum (www.neam.org) Bradley International Airport, 36 Perimeter Rd, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 8691 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL. (251)653-4781
Published in the Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama on 12/23/2008
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World War II Veteran - U.S.Army Air Corps
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