Frank Joe Becker
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Frank Joe Becker, age 82,passed away Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at home in Lawrence, KS. Frank was born January 23, 1936 near Olpe, KS, the son of Frank X. and Hattie F. (Nathe) Becker. He married Barbara Ann Brinkman on June 4, 1960 in Olpe, KS. She survives of the home.
Survivors also include his daughters, Paula Trent (Tempe, AZ), Connie Grismer (Chandler, AZ), Ann Logan and husband, Liam ( Denver, CO); and his son, Frank X Becker II and wife, Kelly (Steamboat Springs, CO). Surviving grandchildren include Courtney, Carly and Caroline Trent; Parker Grismer; Katie, Conor and Sean Logan; and Frank J. II, Jack, Anna, Audrey, and Brynn Becker. Surviving sisters include Betty Timmerman (Albuquerque, NM), Marge Jehle and husband, Fred (Lawrence), and sister-in-law, Jennie Becker (Wichita). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Becker.
Funeral services for Frank will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 3 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence. Reception to follow in the fellowship hall with inurnment to follow at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Cemetery. A Rosary will be prayed at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with a visitation to follow until 4 p.m.
Frank graduated in 1958 from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Over the years after graduation, he served the University as a Board Member and Chairman of the Greater University Fund; Board Member and President of the Kansas University Alumni Association; Trustee, Chair of Finance Commitee and Chairman of the Kansas University Endowment Association; Chairman of the Chancellor Search Commitee in 1994; and Member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the School of Engineering. Awards received from the University were the Fred Ellsworth Award in 1988; the Distinguished Engineering Service Award in 1991; and the Distinguished Service Citation in 1996.
In addition to his service to the University, Frank also served St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at KU by providing leadership, advocacy and support from the beginning. First became involved by supporting the campaign to build the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in the early 80s. He served as a Campaign Trustee for Campaign St. Lawrence. Frank served as an advisor and mentor to build the development program to engage alumni, parents and friends of St. Lawrence helping the Catholic faith to have a strong presence at his alma mater. He was instrumental in founding and establishing the St. Lawrence Center Foundation and served as its President for the first six years. Frank provided insight and guidance in developing investment policies and guidelines, and Catholic socially responsible investing that maximized return to benefit the Center. His approach was used as a template for the Lawrence Catholic Schools Foundation which eventually became the Corpus Christi Education Endowment.
Frank’s work career was as owner, CEO, President and Chairman of Becker Corporation and the First National Bank & Trust Co., of El Dorado, KS. His later investments were under Becker Investments, Inc. He has also served on the Board of Directors for Westar Energy, Inc., Topeka, KS, OTR Express, Olathe, KS, KG&E, Wichita, KS, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Co. of KS, Bank IV Butler County, N.A. ElDorado, KS, Douglas County Bank, Lawrence, KS, IMA Insurance, Wichita and, Eby Construction, Wichita.
Business relationships include President and Board Member, Kansas Motor Carriers Association; Alternate State President and Director for American Trucking Association; Board Member, National Tank Truck Carriers, Inc; Board Member and President of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce; and Board Member, President, Chairman of Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Frank also served as Commanding General of the Kansas Cavalry, Member and Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, State of Kansas, Board Member and Co-Chairman of Kansas, Inc, Member and Chairman of the Kansas Turnpike Authority, Board Member and Presiden of Butler County Community College Endowment and Board of Trustees of Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital, ElDorado, KS.
Frank was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and a founding member of their Knights of Columbus. Frank served the Catholic Community as a member of the Finance Team of the Archdicoese of Kansas City in Kansas, Chair of the Futures Team of Corpus Christi, Founding Chair of the Corpus Christi Education Endowment and as Leadership for two Capital Campaigns. He was a receipient with his wife of the 2014 Dorothy Flannery Honor for their stewardship and guidance with Corpus Christi School.
Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to Kansas University Endowment Association for the Frank J. Becker Scholarship Fund, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association or Corpus Christi Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.
SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY THOUGHTS
Paula and family, so sorry to hear about your father. May he rest in peace.
Frank was a very special person. He touched so many lives in a very positive way. I’m sure the Lord has a special place in heaven for him. He will be missed by all. My condolence to the Becker family.
Barbara and family – I’m so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Barbara and family I’m very sorry to hear about Frank , he was one of those special people in my life. We played basketball together on El Dorado town team and had some great bank parties . You both were always great hosts.. He will be missed by many. My prayers are with all of you at this time. Yours In Gods love Arlyn Schuler
Between my freshmen and sophomore year (1983) at Butler County Community College I worked at Becker Trucking. I can’t remember if I ever met Mr. Becker but I know I sure appreciate and remember fondly my time there. Keeping your family in my prayers.
Frank was a busy, successful man but I will mostly remember him for his ready smile and the pride in his wife and family that he readily expressed. He knew where to place his priorities. He made a positive difference in this world.
Frank was a very sincere and special person who approached everything he did with great integrity. All of what he did, whether it be for The University of Kansas, his church, community and/or The State of Kansas, was for the betterment of the entity and not for himself. I can count no more than a handful of alumni leaders who possessed these overall qualities and Frank was definitely one of the best among the few. Barbara and family you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear family,
from Germany we send our love. We are very sorry for your loss. So many things we heard about the great man he must have been. We hope you find comfort in the ones being close to you.
Lots of hugs und good wishes,
Iris (daughter of Elisabeth and Reinhard) and Tobias Wiersema, with Eliane and Simeon.
Sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. You are in our prayers.
Barbara and family: Faith joins me in extending our deepest sorrow in the loss of your husband and loved one. The service at Corpus was wonderful, especially the words by Father Mick and members of the Becker family. Most assuredly, there aren’t many Kansans who can even closely match the accomplishments of Frank during his 82 years on this earth. He will be missed by so many.
Jack and Faith Greenwood
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends. May you find comfort in your memories and in God and his word the Bible. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
Dear Barbara and family,
We are very sad with you about Frank’s death. He will always stay in our memory. We had so many good times with him and you and the family. You were in our thoughts especially on Sunday and Monday. Your cousins Reinhard and Elisabeth
Barbara and family,
Heard about Frank’s passing at morning mass in El Dorado on Friday. Your family has been in our thoughts since. We have a special connection having spent 28 years in El Dorado living in the “Becker House”. Remember Connie stopping by several years ago and I gave her the tour. And we at St John’s have fond memories of the Becker’s. Our prayers are with you.
Dennis & Marsha Todd
Dear Barbara, Paula and family, So very sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. Sure learned a lot from that guy over the years in our dealings in Phoenix. I will always remember our last breakfast at Butterfield’s here in Scottsdale and the insightful note he sent to me thereafter. My thoughts and prayers to all. Mike Wallis
Dear family,
deepest condolences. We are very sad about the death of Frank. There are a few memories that we now think about when you visited us in Germany. You’re in our thoughts. We hug you.
Astrid (daughter of Reinhard and Elisabeth from Germany) and Carsten with Tammo and Torge
I so enjoyed the time I spent on the golf course with Frank and his friends. Such a nice, wise man. His words, delivered with a gentle voice, had a real strength to them. Great smile. Great man.
Hi Barbra and family,
I just learned of Frank’s passing. I truly enjoyed our many lunches and dinner over the last ten years. He has been a great friend, role model and mentor. I will miss our time together. I wish you all the very best!
Eric Hughes, Charlene Hughes