Roland A. BeckerIssue Date: December 30, 2021 Roland Alfred Becker, 88, of Menominee, Mi., passed away at home Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.
Born Oct. 26, 1933, to the late Alfred and Helena (Filibeck), he grew up on a farm in Wallace, Mi., with four siblings and graduated from Menominee High School in 1952. Seeking work, he moved to Detroit in 1955, where he began working for General Motors. GM afforded the opportunity for education and training at various colleges and universities, and he spent 36 years as an Electrical Engineer for GM's Hydramatic Division, solving engineering problems and creating hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic systems that earned him multiple patents.
He met the love of his life, Shirley Ruleau in 1958 and they married in 1959, spending 62 years together. He loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and archery, was an avid reader and was never without a book. He enjoyed cooking, trying new foods and recipes and approached baking in the way that only an engineer can. He loved to laugh, joke and hear a funny story as much as he liked to tell one.
He and his family traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, visiting National Parks, historical sites and collecting rocks for his wife. Known for tackling home and repair projects big and small, he always lent a helping hand and would say, I can fix almost anything except a broken heart, but I am working on that.
His adventures started when he retired and returned to Menominee in 1990, where they constructed their lakefront home and gardened together. He also made several trips to Colorado and Alaska and while hunting and fishing in Alaska, he hiked to the Arctic Circle, mined on his gold claim on the Bachelor River and shot many big game animals.
In the early 2000's, with his son Jeff, he sailed his son's boat from Detroit around the Great Lakes, through Chicago and down the length of the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, where they undertook a nautical tour of the Caribbean. A few years later he helped sail the boat up the intercostal waterways of the East Coast and through the NYC harbor back to Michigan.
He collected guns, was a skilled marksman and gunsmith, took up trap-shooting at age 70, loved competing and helped his team win many competitions at the Menominee Woods and Stream Sportsman's Club and Peshtigo Gun Club. He loved watching his grandchildren participate in school and sporting events and will be missed by many family, friends and acquaintances.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley (Ruleau) Becker; two daughters, Pamela Becker and Shonnie Becker (Guy Downs); a son, Jeff Becker; a sister, Beverly Cook; two sisters-in-law, Betty Gilbert and Barbara Nelson; a brother-in-law, Bernie DeLoughory; four grandchildren; a great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Anderson Diehm Funeral Home in Stephenson, Mi. on Tuesday, Dec. 28 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Precious Blood Catholic Church at noon, with Fr. Edward Baafi officiating. A light luncheon then followed at Roland and Shirley's home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.andersondiehm.com
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