Arthur S. Becker

Arthur S. Becker Resident of Danville A veteran civic leader of the City and County of San Francisco and the Jewish community, passed away peacefully in Danville on December 31st, four days shy of his 102nd birthday. Arthur was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the third son of Samuel Shapiro and Jennie Rosenblatt Becker. He moved to San Francisco as an infant, where he was reared, became a bar mitzvah, and confirmed at Congregation Beth Israel. After graduation from Lowell High School in San Francisco in 1929, he and his brother started a grocery business. During the Second World War, he served proudly in the U. S. Army. Shortly after his discharge from active duty, he became affiliated with the Littleman supermarket chain, where he served for many years as its executive vice president. Always active in trade organizations, he served as president of the San Francisco Grocers Association and the California Grocers Association and later as treasurer of the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States. In 1961, Arthur was appointed a commissioner of the San Francisco Parking Authority, the predecessor of the present Department of Parking and Transportation, where he served as chairman from 1964-1965. In 1967, he was appointed as director of the Parking Authority, serving in that office until his retirement from city service in 1977. A recognized and respected leader in the Jewish community, Arthur served as president of Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Beth Israel-Judea, the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Francisco, Sinai Memorial Chapel (Chevra Kadisha), and the City of Hope. A member of San Francisco B'nai B'rith Lodge, he served as a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Welfare Federation of San Francisco, as well as a member of the advisory board of the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemeth). Arthur was a member of the Commonwealth Club and the Concordia-Argonaut Club, a past master of Starr King Lodge No. 344 F&AM, San Francisco Bodies Scottish Rite, Islam Temple of the AAONMS, and American Legion Post No. 1. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, Virginia E. Becker, Arthur is survived by daughter Susan J. Klein (John) and son Stephen C. Becker (Jill); grandchildren David (Le fianc‚e) and Joshua Klein, Jonathan "Yoni" Levy (Jennifer), Beth Sacks (David), Julie Colby (Ryan), and Joshua Becker; great-grandchildren Khai Klein; Samuel, Rina, Yeshaya, Yehuda, Moshe, and Rivka-Leah Sacks; Sajun Rude; and Lowell and Malachi Colby. Arthur was pre-deceased by his devoted brothers Louis, Morris (Rose), and Charles (Norma). He was a loving uncle and great-uncle to many, as well as a dear friend and companion for over two decades to Rose L. Spindel. Services for Arthur will be held at Congregation Beth Israel-Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco on Friday, January 3rd at 1:30 PM. Interment will follow at Salem Memorial Park, 1171 El Camino Real, Colma. Contributions in his memory may be made to Congregation Beth Israel-Judea, 625 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco, CA 94132-2992.