Arthur Becker

Arthur Becker, 90, of Reading, passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021, at his residence. He was predeceased by his current wife Mary Ann A. (Dykty) Becker, on February 21, 2021, his second wife Helen E. (Reead) Becker on January 16, 1993, by his sister Aileen Rosenthal, and his niece, Jill Leibhaber. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of the late Max and Bessie (Durchin) Becker. Art is survived by: his son, United Airline Captain Scott Becker (retired) of Oceanside, CA; a stepson, Robert J. Englebach, spouse of Frank Kutryb, of Wyomissing Hills; a stepdaughter, Margie Haile, wife of David Haile, Reading; two step grandchildren: Colleen Grey and Josef Haile; one niece, Diane Rosenthal; and his beloved German Shepherd, Hannah.

He was a graduate of Midwood High School, Brooklyn, NY, in 1949, the Academy of Aeronautics, Queens, NY, in 1955 and the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, in 1963. He was an Aeronautical Engineer. He attended Penn State, Berks, for several Managerial Accounting courses.

Art was a private pilot, earning his license at the age of 17. He loved to fly and continued to do so until his death. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since June, 1950, and of the Quiet Birdmen- Reading Hanger, since October 2014; a pilot's organization. He was a member of the Berks Pistol Club since 1967 and served as club secretary for many years. Art was also an amateur radio operator and a member of the Reading Radio Club, serving as Vice President and on the Board of Directors for many years. He was also a member of SCORE for several years, counseling people starting their own business.

Starting as a draftsman, Art worked on naval gunfire control and radar systems. He attended college at night while working for a Queens, N.Y. aircraft instrument company working up to Design then Project Engineer. He was awarded a Patent for an aircraft instrument lighting system. Art managed a 30 engineer Production Design Group prior to coming to Reading in 1963 as Chief Engineer for the Pennsylvania Optical Company. He worked as a senior Engineer for Reading Industries, Inc. for two years and then became Plant Manager of their Readi-Fin Manufacturing Company metal fabrication facility for 14 years. He worked at several other facilities in manufacturing management in Reading and Lancaster and started his own business, BECONCO/Becker Consulting Company, in September, 1993.

Art was a member of Reform Congregation Oheb Shalom since 1965. At one point he served as President of the Brotherhood, on the Finance Committee, as a member of the Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Ritual Committee. He was the High Holiday Service Coordinator for many years. Art was also a Mason, a member of Lodge 62 F. & A.M., West Reading.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 20, 202, at 10:30 AM at the Temple Oheb Shalom, 555 Warwick Dr., Wyomissing, PA 19610, with burial to follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, PO Box 709, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598 (GuidingEyes.org). Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.