Stuart A. Becker

Stuart Arnold Becker, 67, a resident of Castro Valley for his entire life, passed away on July 4, 2024, after a long and heroic battle with cancer. His final time was spent enfolded in love and care by his son Andrew, his twin brother Steve, his care givers, his first wife Robin, his brothers Rick and Mike, and his second wife Carole and their large extended family. Stuart and his twin brother were born at Eden Hospital on May 12, 1957. He attended Proctor Elementary, Earl Warren Jr. High and graduated with honors from Castro Valley High School in 1975. Starting around first grade Stuart swam competitively as a member of the Flying Fins AAU Swim Team. In high school he continued swimming for CVHS and also played varsity doubles tennis. Scholastically, straight out of high school Stuart was accepted into UC Berkeley's distinguished School of Engineering. In 1977, Prince Charles visited the UC Berkeley Science Department wherein Stuart was amongst the few students and faculty that were privileged to meet and shake hands with the now current King of England. In 1979 Stuart graduated, again with honors, with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

Stuart's college internship with Union Carbide launched his lifelong career specialty in industrial air gas production and plant management. His chemical engineering and management career spanned four decades with multiple companies and evolving responsibilities. He was an innovator in his field. Stuart cherished his workplace friendships that stood the test of time. In 2012, a hydrogen leak in a facility in Emeryville caused the evacuation of Pixar and a nearby school and apartment building. Stuart responded to the emergency and used his expertise to personally enter the plant and shut down the leak. On another occasion, he advised NASA on a fix for a failing rocket fuel valve. Stuart essentially worked a second full-time career with his three brothers, together managing their multiple office and residential rental properties throughout the Bay Area.

Outside of these two busy careers, Stuart was a lifetime SF Giants fan, holding down 30 years of season tickets spanning from Candlestick Park to their move to the new ballpark and through their World Series glory years. He particularly loved taking his sons to games and loved sharing his tickets with family and friends. In fact, there's an engraved brick forever embedded in Willie Mays Plaza stating, "Go Giants - Stuart Becker - Alex Becker - Andrew Becker." In 1996 after San Francisco voters passed their new ballpark proposition Stuart arrived early for the public victory party on Delancey Street. He stepped in and helped set up chairs on the platform stage and then just set himself down on one. He ended up sharing the stage that afternoon with Larry Baer, Peter McGowan and Mayor Willie Brown among others. Years later at a special season ticket holders' event, Stuart was able to meet and shake hands with his hero, Willie Mays and got an autographed copy of Mays' newly published biography which he added to his much-loved collection of keepsakes and memorabilia. Stuart's lifelong love of baseball also led him into coaching both his sons' little league teams over the years.

He also loved to travel, be it with family or for work with colleagues when he always found time for a round of golf. With family and friends, Stuart enjoyed countless stays at his Aptos beach house spanning 50 years and three generations of sand castle building. Stuart relished traveling with his and his second wife's blended families. Puerto Vallarta was a particularly favorite repeat destination of theirs. Other family trips included Hawaii as well as Disney parks in California, Florida and France. Throughout his life Stuart was never without a cherished pet and he always enjoyed cuddling with them on the couch or in his bed.

Preceding Stuart in death were his parents Jerry and Verla Becker and his beloved son Alex Becker. He is survived by his son Andrew Stuart Becker, his second wife Carole Vanderbilt and their blended family, Cheryl and Sean Vanderbilt, Brian Vanderbilt, and Jennifer and Daniel Haiek and their children Leo and Dante to whom he was their Papa. He is also survived by his brothers Mike, Rick and Steve and their families , and his first wife Robin Becker. Stuart cherished all his lifelong friends from Castro Valley and throughout the Bay Area.

Stuart will always be remembered for his confidence and perseverance, his quick, wry wit and his knowledgeable wisdom. Stuart's urn will be set to rest next to the urn of his beloved son Alex in the family columbarium bench. A memorial celebration of life is being planned and will be announced by the family.