|
Richard W. Becker, Ph. D., passed away on Wednesday, May 30, 2007. He was a member of Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a graduate of Valley High School's class of 1961. Dr. Becker earned his B.S. from the University of New Mexico in 1965, his M.S.W. from Arizona State University in 1967, and his Ph. D. from the University of New Mexico in 2001. He retired from the Albuquerque Veteran's Medical center in 1996 where he was employed as a clinical social worker. Dr. Becker served as a volunteer with many conservation organizations. He was a past president of the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, the Albuquerque Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation, the New Mexico Riparian Council, the New Mexico Friends of the Forest, the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico. Dr. Becker also served as the State Coordinator for the Leopold Education Project and supervisor with the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and wildlife photography. Dr. Becker was a member of the New Mexico Mountain Club and the Rio Grande Mule and Donkey Association. He was the proud owner of a miniature horse, Snickles and enjoyed caring for the miniature donkey, Pancho, that he gave to his wife, Carol Simone Maria Chavez, as a present for Easter of 2006. Dr. Becker was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and son. He is survived by his wife, Carol Simone Maria Chavez; daughters, Michelle Smith and husband, Doug, Sandra Lyon and husband, Sean; grandchildren, Benjamin Shu-Smith, Victoria Lyon, Evan Lyon; mother, Geraldine Becker; father, Robert Becker; brother, Donald Becker; nephew, Jason Anderson; and numerous other friends and relatives. Services will be held on Monday, June 4, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at Highs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel on Sunday, June 3, 2007, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Don Becker, Greg Chavez, Randy Tripp, Sean Lyon, Dale Hall, Doug Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Dick Kriener, Jim Bates, Bill Zeedyk, Dennis Muirhead, Ron Madson, Dale Jones, and Charlie Sanchez. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Albuquerque Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 1234, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
|
