Charles A. Becker

Charles A. Becker, a rakish Colorado Buffalo born in Syracuse, N.Y., and longtime educator, businessman, and community leader, died July 5th. He was 73.

After graduating from the University of Colorado in 1965 he immediately joined the St. Vrain Valley Schools as both a 4th and 6th grade teacher in Longmont, Colorado. He then earned a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Education Administration. It propelled him into jobs as a principal at the Colorado elementary schools of Hygiene, Frederick, and Spangler. In 1978 he assumed the principal position at East Heights Elementary in Lawrence, Kansas. His career in education spanned 17 years.

After a two-year stint as Vice-President of Operations for Midwest Marketing of Kansas and ownership lasting four years of Kids Stuff, a clothing and accessory store for children in downtown Lawrence, in 1984 he devoted the next 16 years to a venture capital business. He was a founding partner with the firm Campbell Becker Inc., in Lawrence, Kansas. In 2000 he spent four years as a consultant for Athenix Solutions and for the University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. After retiring in 2004 he joined the staff at Golf USA and also served for several years as a volunteer golf coach for Free State High School.

Among the nonprofits and boards Becker served the list includes: Lied Center, Kids Voting, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Lawrence Chamber, Boy Scouts, Penn House, and Leadership Lawrence.

The son of an Air Force Colonel, Becker was raised in Germany and Colorado Springs, Colorado. He grew to love hockey working as a “rink rat” at The Broadmoor.

Becker is survived by wife Katherine of Lawrence, KS; son John and wife Tricia of Knoxville, TN; daughter Elizabeth of Lenexa, KS; son Paul of Boulder, CO; and his furry children, dog Owen as well as his beloved cats Emma and Sachi.

His “loves” throughout life included family, friends, fishing, golf, and scotch. His nicknames included; “Black Chet”, “CB”, “Rugger”, “Sir Charles”, “Pappy”, “Conductor Chuck.” In notes he often signed,”The Don”, and seemed happiest with simply, “Dad.”

The Becker family would like to extend its deepest thanks to Dr. Matt Stein and the entire Oncology Department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. In addition, the loving care of nurse Kea with Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice offered great comfort.

Memorial services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence on Saturday July 18th, at 2pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Lawrence Schools Foundation (Arr. Cremation Society of KS & MO www.kccremation.com).

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