Roger Becker
May 26, 1947 ~ January 29, 2012
Roger Becker, age 64 of New Hampton, Iowa died after a lengthy battle with cancer on Sunday January 29, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.
Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey presiding. His body has been donated to the University of Minnesota.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. If so desired, memorials may be directed to the Roger Vernon Becker Music Fund.
Roger Vernon Becker was born May 26, 1947, the son of Vernon and Dorothy (Wolfe) Becker. He grew up in Lost Nation and lived and worked his entire life in Iowa. He graduated from Lost Nation Community High School in 1965 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Luther College in 1969.
He married Donna Schneider on Aug. 2, 1969, in Mt. Prospect, Ill. His band directing career began at South Winneshiek High School (Calmar), teaching from 1969-77. The family moved to a farm in Preston, and he directed the band program for the Preston Community Schools from 1977-86. The family then moved to New Hampton where he taught high school band for the New Hampton Community Schools from 1986-2009. Upon retirement in 2009, he then took on the role of lay minister for Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton until the time of his death.
Roger had many interests, hobbies and activities. He cheered for the Cubs and Packers; enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, creating instrument lamps, farming, teaching piano lessons, tuning pianos, photography, playing and singing music; was a member of church councils, vocal groups, saddle clubs, the Lucky 7 Dixieland Jazz Band, the New Horizons Band, the Greater Waverly Municipal Band, the Iowa Ambassadors of Music, the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association, etc. He was recognized for serving as an advisor for the National Honor Society for 15 years by New Hampton High School and his 40 years of teaching by the Iowa High School Music Association. He currently was a member of the New Hampton Community School District Board of Education.
Roger is survived by his wife, Donna; one son, Joel (Joy) Becker of Waverly, IA; three daughters, Jana (Shawn) Moser of Palmer, AK, Sara Snowden (Kurt Grossmann) of Columbus, OH and Sheryn (Jacob) Boos of Cedar Falls, IA; eight grandchildren; one sister, Janet (Dean) Swiston of Steven Point; two brothers, Kevin (Vicki) Becker of DeWitt, IA and Neal (Sue) Becker of Davenport, IA; and his mother-in-law, Fern Schneider of New Hampton, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers, Paul and Don Becker; his father-in-law, Vernon Schneider; and one nephew, Kandon Becker.
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So sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. We did not know him long but he sure was a nice man!! Thoughts and Prayers for his family!!
Sorry to hear about Mr. Becker. While it has been many years since I was a student at Preston High School, it still seems like yesterday. I am praying for you and your families during this difficult time.
We are praying for Donna and family at this difficult time. We will always remember Roger as the dedicated instrumental instructor at Preston Schools where he taught both our daughters. The Beckers were neighbors and attended the same church as us. His ‘talents’ were many and he shared those talents with many. God Bless!
To the Becker family– We are sorry to learn of Roger’s death. He was a fine man and he inspired so many especially musicians. He will be missed. Our sympathy goes out to you in your time of sorrow.
To the Becker family. I think about your family quite often. I am a school bus driver for Preston and travel back on the dead end road that you lived in in the country every day to pick up students. I think about when your family lived there and attended our school and church. We enjoyed Roger’s music very much. Our sympathy to you and your family. Pat Dierks
Never had a teacher impacted my life like Mr. Becker did. He never gave up on me. He would sit for hours before or after school to make sure I knew a scale, a part to a song, or just to know that I had a talent. My heart sank when I read of his passing. My prayers go out to the family. I will think of Mr Becker every time I pull out my awards, my letter jacket or my yearbook.
So sorry to learn of Roger’s passing. I sat next to him in Community band in Waverly last summer and we talked about going to Germany this year to play our baritones! My sympathies to the family.
Donna, I’m so sorry about Roger. I didnt hear about it until tonight so I missed everything. I would have been at the visitation if I had known. Guess I’m pretty isolated out here. I guess it was meant to be this way. I’ll be thinking about you. God be with you. Dana
Dear Donna, I was very shocked to hear of Roger’s illness and passing. I will always remember his enthusiasm in band, especially when it was a Sousa march. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jerry and Cheryl Donlon
When I heard of Roger’s Death, it brought back memories, when Roger started teaching me to play the tuba my sophomore year at PHS, it was a experience I will never forget and found it a worth while experience. I just wanted to share with you that my prayer will be with you on this day. God Bless. Greg Grant
My sisters and I so much enjoyed the concert in Lost Nation Dec. 18 and are so saddened to hear of the loss of Roger. His performance of the song is wife wrote was wonderful and so meaningful. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.
What a great loss.. I knew Mr. Roger Becker at South Winn… His endless patience and knowledge and spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I too am greatfull for having him for a teacher…
Neal and family, I am sorry for your loss, and offer you my most sincere condolences. Though I did not know Roger well, I knew that he had Neal’s respect, and was thereby the recipient of mine. I had considered the drive to pay my respects in person, but the weather has proven troublesome. I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers throughout your grieving process.
We extend our sympathies to you Donna and the entire family. How fortunate so many of us were that had the priviledge of knowing Roger and having him in our lives one way or another. For our family, he was a softball coach for one year while Jess was in high school. They shared their love for the Cubbies and I believe Jess wore her Cubs cap to practice as often as Roger did. Jolene and James were both students in concert, marching, and jazz band, as well as Horizon’s band. Roger was Jolene’s private piano teacher for a number of yrs. I remember the visits to your home while she had her lessons and always enjoyed their time together playing piano, their conversations, his sense of humor, and so much more. I always felt very warmly welcomed into your home. He also taught her how to play other instruments beyond the classroom. He really made an impact on her life and career. Roger was truly an inspiration to so many. He always had a smile when he greeted me, which I will never forget. He would always ask how the kids were doing, especially Jolene, whenever we would see each other in recent yrs. after our family moved on in their adult lives. Thank you to your entire family for allowing Roger to share his time and talents with all of us who knew him. He will forever be remembered as a great teacher, mentor, musician, spiritual leader, loving husband, father and grandfather. But most importantly, a true friend!
I am in awe as I read the well-stated and varied tributes, showing how many lives this man touched. Thanks, Joel, for creating the CB site. ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, I have no doubt that Roger Becker will be ‘in that number.’ My sympathy to all. It’s been a pleasure to know the ‘Becker Bunch.’
I have very special memories of teaching with Roger at Preston and giving piano lessons to Joel out on the farm. Roger had such a great sense of humor, was a motivator, and so dedicated to his teaching. May you have many warm hugs of memories to ease the ache in your heart. God bless you. Gloria
Oh where to begin. Mr. Becker was my teacher at NHHS. He was and is the reason that I fell in love with music. His constant pushing of me because he knew that I could do better is the reason that I stayed with music all through college as well. My deepest condolences to you at this time. He was a great teacher and mentor. He will be greatly missed.
It was a pleasure to get to know Roger through UNI New Horizons Band and also the Greater Waverly Municipal Band. Roger was a fine player and a fine person. We will certainly miss him. Blessings, Marlene (clarinet)
Our deepest sympathies to the Becker family in this time of loss. Heaven needed some one to encourage and promote more music to the angles. He made it clear that music was needed in everyone’s life. No matter what a person’s skill level, talent, or knowledge, he made sure that you try your best. If you fell, he was the first to pick you up, dust you off and help you get a plan for the next time. There was no ‘if’ or ‘give up’ in his presence. He could 110% out of a gazzu playing cow. He let me (Brad) join the Band when I was a freshman at Preston High School in 1980. He taught me to play trumpet well enough in my high school career that I won a place in the Iowa State Marching Band the summer I graduated. I kept in that band until I graduated from collage. He was the reason I was able to accomplish that very important and memerable part of my life. The difference he made in my life and the lives of all the people he touched only shows that heaven really needed him and had a spot ready for him. Rest in peace my friend. Brad Marvin PHS 1984 ISU 1988 Preston resident 1988 till present
What a joy band was at NHHS due to Roger’s boundless enthusiasm (and patience)! I am so sorry to hear of his passing, but feel incredibly lucky to have been his student. My heart goes out to his whole family.
To Donna & family, Kevin & family & Neal & family– I am so sorry to hear of Roger’s death. It was so good of him to be there at Christmas for our church program and I got a chance to visit with him then. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this time of loss. May God bless and keep you. Nancy
I was sorry to see the news of Roger’s passing away in the Waterloo Courier. As the former horn prof at UNI, I had the privilege of teaching his daughter Sara for a number of years. Roger would often come along to the lessons (and Donna sometimes also), and went to great effort to guide Sara’s musical development. Roger’s care for his family was immediately evident, as was his perfectionism and his musicality. A master music educator, his passing leaves a vacancy that will be hard to replace, and his love for his family, students and music remains an inspiration.
I remember Roger’s beautiful voice when he sang at my mother (his aunt’s) funeral. I won’t be able to attend but I will pray for his family and friends as they gather to remember him. He was a man of God, saved by Grace and I know his reward is assured. Blessings, Ned and Valerie Looney
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire Becker Family. What a generous man in sharing his love of music. Certainly he is playing in the most glorious of bands now!
Dear Donna and Family, We were so saddened to hear of Roger’s passing. Our daughter, Beth was blessed to have Roger for a band teacher, and he was always such a joy to visit with, as his love of music shone through in the enthusiasm he exhibited, both at school concerts and at parent-teacher conferences as well. He always had a way to encourage his students. We know he will be truly missed by many, and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. May the memories you all share together bring you peace and comfort, and may God give you strength and joy in those memories as you honor your loved one. With Deepest Sympathies, Judy and Dean
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I remember when Mr. Becker came to NHHS. He had a great vision for the marching band and concert band. He showed great dedication to making the music program better and improving the character of his students. He touched a great number of lives.
Donna, we extend our sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our thoughts and prayers to out to your entire family. May God’s love and strength help you through this trying time. Roger will be remembered by many many music students, including my two girls. He was a wonderful, caring teacher. May God Bless you. Katie and Carolyn
Our thoughts and prayers go to your family at this difficult time. Roger always had a smile and his love of life was evident. His patience and dedication to teaching are memorable. He will be missed.
Our condolences to your family, Joel. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Becker family, my sympathies for your loss. I fondly remember time spent with Roger in the band at Preston and listening to him sing and play in church. I thought of him recently when my son took up an instrument in the elementary band. I’ll admit that Roger beat me and my best friend in basketball when we were in the 8th grade. We were pretty confident about taking him 2 on 1, but I had to buy pizza when we lost. Roger was a very talented and hard-working person and a great example for us all. He will be missed.
To the family of Roger, our deepest sympathy. My Niece, Sarah Meyer/Reyerson from the Waverly Library, knew Roger, and sent him to tune my Mother’s, Mila Mae Meyer, of New Hampton, piano years ago now. Mother remembers, Roger so well, she is now 91 years young! I thought you would appriciate knowing that he had an audience with my family over many things, and my Mother, especially was saddened of the news of Roger’s passing. Please know that we are all praying for your family and will continue in thought and prayer as the days progress now. Sincerely, the Love, Meyer, and Reyersons’ families.
We will miss Roger in the New Horizons Band; he was a fine baritone horn player. Bob also knew him as a fellow high school band director. May God comfort you as you grieve his passing. Sincerely. Bob and Mary Jane Shafer
Donna and family: So sorry for your loss. Roger was an awsome person. He will be greatly missed.
To the Becker family: Although I never personally had Mr. Becker as a teacher but I remember him from the hallways and from my niece participating in band the year before he retired. He will definitely be missed by many and touched many lives in the New Hampton School district. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Becker family. May you find peace and comfort in the days ahead knowing he won’t have to suffer anymore from a terrible terrible disease that puts a loss in so many families. Take care!!! Carrie
My heartfelt condolences to all the Becker family members as you grieve the loss of Roger. I was fortunate to have known Roger when we worked as colleagues at Preston Community Schools especially during our annual musicals. His musical talent will sorely be missed. May God’s blessing be with you all. Will Smith
We were so sorry that Roger has passed away. Robert Ives still plays his trombone. Roger taught him to love music. Donna I have always enjoyed talking to you. We are in AZ now and won’t be back until April. Perhaps we can get together when we get home. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna and family, I am very sorry for Rogers death. He left us all too quickly. I am grateful for the music he could share and for his ministry through Trinity and his visits with the sick. You have my sincere sympathy. Geri Oltrogge
Sorry to hear about Roger. Unfortunately I can not be there in person to express my sympathy as we are in Arizona. You all remain in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear about Roger. I loved hearing him play in New Horizons – just awesome, beautiful sound out of his horn. We will surely miss him! Linda Podhajsky
Donna and family– So much of Iowa’s music family joins in remembering Roger and the immeasurable talents he developed in his students. Surely these gifts multiply as generations unfold, and Roger’s talents, wisdom, and spirit lives on through many. I SO DEEPLY treasure our music together for Lynnette’s services and the concert for Lost Nation in December. I hope to be there Saturday for one more musical celebration of Roger’s continuing life. Lovingly, Pam Myatt Crawford
With deepest sympathy to the entire Becker family. I graduated with Roger from Lost Nation and he sang at my wedding. Music was a part of his life for as long as I knew him and he was so talented. Being the unselfish person that he was, in December he was an integral part of a concert that was given in Lost Nation in memory of two Bethlehem Lutheran’s organists, one of them being another classmate of ours. He will be greatly missed. God be with you.
Donna and Family, You all are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time in your lives. We have many good memories of you all from the years we lived in New Hampton. Roger will live on in our memories. In the days ahead, God will give you strength and peace. Connie, David, and Julie.
Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Mr. B was my band director at S.W. and he had a way of getting the best out of you, even if you didn’t really want to. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to know him, and that he sold me that bay horse many years ago. Always a special memory.
To the entire Becker family we extend our sympathy and prayers. Roger was a multitalented and caring person. May memories warm your heart and faith help keep you strong. God Bless.
Donna–Please know I’m thinking of you and know some of what you’re going through. Your happy memories will get you through the days ahead. Judy–from Great Strides of NE IA (the tall old scrawny one)
I am sorry to hear of Rogers’s death. My prayers are with his family . I remember Roger in the halls of the high school and leading the many forms of the band over the years.
Donna and family, I was so sorry and shocked to hear of Roger’s death. I graduated with him from Lost Nation. Roger was quite the musician and always up for a good discusssion on religion in our chemistry class-Lutheran versus Catholic. God bless you during your time of loss.
When I think of my high school days at South Winn High school, I always think of Roger. He would look at us with a twinkle in his eye and call out ‘bones!’ meaning the trombones better buckle down and pay attention! He was one of the best teachers I have ever had and I still love a good brass choir. Well loved by us all. He will be missed. Many thoughts and prayers for his family. Melanie Kleppe Nollsch
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Becker family. We remember his smile he had for everyone he met. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Sincerely, Louise and Donn Harris
We are going to miss our friend Roger very much. We’ve really enjoyed being in a small group (through our church) with Roger and Donna and to share our lives, laugh, and to pray together each month. Roger was very proud of all of his family. He was happiest by ministering his faith through everything that he did and how he lived his life each day. We offer our deepest sympathy to Donna, their children, and all of his family.
Sara and family…..many condolences on the passing of your dad. Even though I wasn’t involved in music during my high school years, I remember Mr. Becker as a respected teacher and always liked the fact that he wore his cubs hat proudly. Now having gotten to know him better through church it is easy to see why he was so respected. Thoughts and prayers!
So sorry for your loss. Roger was a great educator and better man! Sincerely, Jason Dobbs Crestwood HS Band Director
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Becker family at this time. Roger was an amazing man, and the legacy of his heart is obvious in the family he has left behind. He will be very missed! God bless.
Roger ‘Mr. Becker’ as I could never actually call him Roger even 11 years after I graduated and became his colleague was the best man, teacher, and mentor I could ever ask for. He had so much faith in me, and often treated me and guided me like he was my father. He is the sole reason that today I am a band director and a performer. My heart goes out to the Becker family as I know it has been quite a struggle these past years. Mr. Becker always had a smile on his face though, still seeing the good things in life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless…
Donna & family, I’m so sorry for your loss, I could tell how close all of you were. I truly believe Roger is in Heaven’s big band singing & playing music, smiling, free of pain, & watching over his family. God Bless.
Sheryn, Jake and Family members. My herat felt sympathy goes out to all of you. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Godspeed to all.
Beckers, you all have been in my thoughts and prayers the past few days. Having been friends with Sara for many years, I remember going to your house a lot when I was younger,and having sleeps overs there. I could always tell how family oriented Roger was, and how close of a family you are. He was a very talented man, and his talents will live on though all of you. He will always watch over your family with pride of all he helped to create. Take care and God bless!
I have so many memories of Roger. His work with us helping us to bring back the National Honor Society. I chaperoned 3 music trips with him to St. Louis, Florida and Kansas City where I got to know him better; his sense of humor and his caring and concern for his students. I remember his enthusiasm as he directed the band with endless energy and passion. I admired him for the way he pushed and encouraged his students to give their best. I remember too, him playing trumpet at my daughter’s graduation party. Just a month ago at the high school Christmas program he jumped up on the top row of the risers and sang the Alleluia chorus with Nu Hi Chorale. And he shared with all of us at the Longest Night service. Now he is singing the alleluia chorus with the heavenly choir. It’s Heaven’s gain, but a big loss for all of us who knew and loved him. Becker family, you are on our hearts and in our prayers. We share your loss.
My deepest and most sincere sympathies to the entire Becker family. I have many great memories of Mr Becker as a teacher and person. I learned a lot from him and he was always quick to say hello. God now has one heck of a teacher and person.
Roger was my band director at South Winn over 37 years ago. He was an amazing human being and a great motivator and teacher. I will remember his intensity and his humor. I am so very sorry for your loss.
To the Becker family our deepest sympathies for your loss. Roger and I served on many committees and were involved as homeroom sponsors during the 15 years we taught together at NHHS. He was never one to shy away from doing his part to help students and never shy about sharing his opinions on a variety of school and non-school related issues. I always respected his opinion even when we disagreed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Becker family during this difficult time. Roger was a wonderful man who has left his mark on the community in many ways. His welcoming spirit will be missed.
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go to all of you. Roger shared his special gift of music with so many through teaching and performing. He was a wonderful associate pastor at Trinity and we will all miss him dearly.
To the Becker family, Roger has left his mark on the world. He shared his love of music with 2 of my daughters during piano lessons in the Becker home. It’s hard to imagine how many students he impacted. We offer our sympathy. Donna, In the weeks and months ahead, our MOMS group will walk beside you and offer our friendship and love.
Becker family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Roger was a great man who touched a lot of lives in our small community and beyond. The majority of my memories from high school revolve around band, and I will always be grateful for everything he did for me. I hope you can find peace knowing that he is no longer suffering. Praying and thinking of you all during this difficult time. Rachel Ysbrand