Wayne M. Becker

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Wayne Becker Obituary

Becker, Wayne M. Died of cancer in his home on October 17, 2009, at the age of 85. Cherished husband for 55 years to Mary (nee Lamb). Beloved father to Kathy, Jon (Sue) and Lisa. Treasured grandfather to Ana. Teacher, mentor, musician and friend to generations of musicians. Preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Marietta, sister Arlene Dess, and brother Ronald, who died the previous day. Visitations will be held at SAINT MONICA CHURCH, 5635 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay, WI, on Friday, October 23, beginning at 10AM with Funeral Mass following at 12 noon. He will be buried in the family plot in Sheboygan, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. CHURCH AND CHAPEL 262-786-8030 Obit - Condolences - Directions www.churchandchapel.com

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Oct. 20 to Oct. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Becker

13 Entries

Fritzi Ridge

November 13, 2009

We send condolences to the family of Wayne Becker. How well we remember what a wonderful and compassionate director he was in our Band years at Central High in Sheboygan, WI. (Fritzi Ridge on Saxaphone and Bonnie (Ridge) Wood on Flute.

Tim Schilz

October 25, 2009

My deepest sympathies to Wayne's family and friends.
I had the priviledge to play in the Milwaukee Civic Concert Band nearly 30 years ago under Wayne's direction. What a great person and supporter of the arts in Milwaukee. He touched many of us musicians and spread his love of the music through his many years of mentoring. I will always have fond memories of Mr. Becker.

If there is a concert band in heaven, they finally have a great guy to conduct it!

Steve Liljegren

October 24, 2009

Dear Mary & family:
I was privileged to play under Wayne during what I think of as the "golden age" of the Milwaukee Elks Youth Band. His leadership, teaching, and friendship made that period one of the musical highlights of my life. Anyone who knew Wayne Becker had their life enriched in many ways, only some of them musical. He will be fondly remembered by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Kathy (Reichert) Nyman

October 22, 2009

Dear Mary and family,

I want to express my sympathy to all of you on the passing of Wayne. My dad, Fred Reichert, was a friend of Wayne's and played trumpet in the Milwaukee Civic Band. I recall hearing his name many times and have fond memories of concerts over the years. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

October 22, 2009

Dear Mary, I heard of your loss yesterday from a fellow St. Clement's graduate - Mary Donna Jocis Froh. Sometimes we have friends forever. Our prayers are with you and your family. Ron and Lois Ward Landgraf.

Michael Poytinger

October 22, 2009

Dear Mary and Family;

Next to my father, Wayne was the most important male role model in my life. He served as my band director, mentor, golfing partner and most importantly as my friend.

I will always view Wayne as a real pioneer in band music in our part of the state. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have played under his direction in the Milwaukee Elks Youth Band and later versions of that group were introduced to a quality of band literature and musical performance that we carried on into our professional music teaching careers. His teaching and influence continue to this day.

In later years the opportunity to share time with Wayne on the golf course became a special part of my life. Just as in his role as a music teacher he was the most encouraging of partners. A day spent with him on the golf course was always a little better at the end than it was at the beginning.

I find great comfort in knowing that Wayne lived a wonderful life. He did so many things well and touched so many lives in a positive manner that it is impossible to know where the goodness of his life's work will end.

Deepest sympathy to Mary and the family. Debbie and I profoundly share your loss.

Michael E. Poytinger

Betty Wilsmann

October 21, 2009

Dear Mary and family,
Sorry to hear of Wayne's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I have fond memories of our days in the band at Central High School.

Tom Betz

October 21, 2009

Riverview Grade School in Glendale is where Wayne first cajoled me (and countless peers) into band. Achieved my goal of finally qualifying for the Milwaukee Elks Youth Band under Wayne's tutelage. Mr. Becker was responsible for mentoring thousands of young people with musical passion. His life really mattered.

Frederick Littmann

October 21, 2009

I met Wayne Becker in 1950 when he was teaching at what was then Sheboygan Central High School. With no prior band experience, I was a beginner in his junior band.
His instructions to me for rehearsals were “Watch the music as we go along and when you see a note you recognize, play it.” With his personal interest, help and support from that hesitant start, I did recognize more and more notes and eventually make it into the senior band before I graduated. Almost sixty years later I can say that my most cherished memories of high school are those involving my experiences in Mr. Becker’s bands. I’m sure many of my fellow band students feel the same way. Besides being an excellent teacher and mentor, I believe that by the time we graduated many of us also thought of him as a friend. Even though I have not seen him in many years, I have thought of him often. I will continue to remember him and all that he did for us

Dawn Williams

October 21, 2009

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
--Berthold Auerbach

How fortunate it is that Wayne believed in those words!

I had known Wayne since performing under his baton in 1981 in what was then, Milwaukee Civic Band. I had just finished my senior year in high school (in a music program that was all but dead) and didn’t really have any intention of continuing on with music. I can still remember how much I enjoyed playing in a “real” band those first few concerts. I believe that it was Wayne’s music selections and general attitude that kept me interested in music.

I also remember when Wayne first started talking about starting a brass band. I was there for his first concert performance of Milwaukee Festival Brass (which was then called Milwaukee British Brass Band) and have missed only two performances since then. It was a great tribute to Wayne’s commitment and dedication that the group has continued to exist and thrive.

It is because Wayne had so much love for music, that it couldn't help but rub off on so many of us.

My heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends, and especially to his wife Mary! Wayne will surely be missed by many.

October 21, 2009

Dear Mary - I was so sorry to learn of your great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Janice Dunn

Wayne Nelson

October 20, 2009

Wayne Becker taught me how to play the Clarinet, and later the Saxophone while I was a student at Parkway Elementary School in Glendale Wisconsin. The influence he had on my life influenced me to appreciate music, and led to participation in some extraordinary musical events. I recall few teachers that made as much of an influence on my life. Today at age 56, I am tackling the Piano with knowledge gained from the fundamentals taught to me by Mr Becker.

Jane Demet

October 20, 2009

Mary, You and Wayne were an example of love and commitment to each other...55 years together and many memories to cherish. Know that we are thinking of you and sending our prayers.

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