Rodney Rudolph Becker
RICHLAND, Wash. — Rodney Rudolph Becker, 82, died at his home, surrounded by his loving family Nov. 21, 2017, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Visitation and rosary were Nov. 28 at Einan’s at Sunset in Richland, Wash. Funeral services are at 11 a.m., Nov. 29, at Christ the King Church, Richland, with graveside immediately following at Sunset Gardens, Richland. Rodney was born April 9, 1935, in St. Helena, son of Rudolph and Clara Becker, and the third child of six siblings, Patty Jones, Clair Becker, Cathie Huchtmeier, Ronald (Nancy) Becker, and Linda (Bob) Wuebben. Growing up on his family’s farm, Rodney was a great help on the farm which instilled a tremendous work ethic. He attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School, St. Helena, and graduated in 1953 from Holy Trinity High School, Hartington. He worked on building the Gavin’s Point Dam, Yankton, S.D. He also played youth baseball for St. Helena through high school and was known for being a very good pitcher. His love for baseball followed him throughout his life. Rodney moved to California in 1957 to start a new life in the land of opportunity. Shortly thereafter, he married the love of his life of 59 years, JoAnn Androsky, Aug. 23, 1958. They purchased their first home in Canoga Park, Calif., in 1960. His proudest family moments included the birth of his four children Mike (Eileen) Becker, Dave (Josie) Becker, Frank (Tracy) Becker and Cindy (Mike) Semick. He loved coaching his sons in youth baseball. Rodney was blessed with nine grandchildren: Brian Becker, Michelle Becker, LeAnn (Shane) Tiffany, Christian Becker, Ryan Becker, Nick Becker, Trevor Becker, Amanda Becker and Lucas Semick. He considered them his greatest achievement and loved them deeply. He cherished all the time he spent with each of his grandchildren. Rodney worked on several significant projects throughout his career including the Apollo Space program, the SR-71 Blackbird program, and the Lockheed L1011 Airplane program. He completed the graduate school of management at UCLA and was subsequently offered a career boosting opportunity at Hanford in 1983, with Rockwell International. He continued his engineering career and retired from Hanford in 1993. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 3307 in Richland, WA and became a 4th Degree Knight. Being raised on a farm in Nebraska, he developed a love for growing vegetables and gardening. He always had a large vegetable garden. He also had a love for travel and would be willing to go just about anywhere. Upon retirement, he was fortunate enough to travel to over a dozen different countries with his wife, visiting his daughter in various places that she was living and working. His favorite pastime from a very young age was playing cards of all kinds, with his favorite game being poker and he was a master at pinochle. He had an incredible gift of being able to fix anything. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t try. Rodney was a very loving, wise, kind, generous and amazingly strong person. He also was very easy going, got along with everyone he met and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was the rock of our family and his legacy will live on through his kids and grandkids. His stories and infectious laugh would light up a room. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, but they rest in the knowledge that they will join him one day in heaven. Rodney is survived by his wife, JoAnn Becker, his children, Mike (Eileen) Becker, Dave (Josie) Becker, Frank (Tracy) Becker, and Cindy (Mike) Semick, his grandchildren Brian Becker, Michelle Becker, LeAnn (Shane) Tiffany, Christian Becker, Ryan Becker, Nick Becker, Trevor Becker, Amanda Becker, and Lucas Semick and four siblings Patty Jones, Cathie Huchtmeier, Ronald (Nancy) Becker, and Linda (Bob) Wuebben. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Clara Becker and his brother, Clair Becker. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to KC Help, P.O. Box 1754 Richland, WA 99352.
