Rowland Becker

Rowland A. Becker, 85, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Wednesday evening, January 4, 2012 at his home. Born July 21, 1926 in Norristown, PA, he was the son of the late Harry Ruben and Eva May Jackson Becker. Rowland spent his early childhood in the Philadelphia area, and at age five moved with his family to Sellersville, West Rockhill Township, Bucks County, PA where he attended school. He enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII, taking part in the atomic bomb test. He served as a West Rockhill Township Supervisor for more than 25 years and was a member of the West Rockhill Lions Club. Mr. Becker owned and operated a farm in Bucks County where he raised registered Black Angus cattle and registered Yorkshire pigs. He also worked selling agriculture fertilizer and chemicals.

He married Charlotte Gladys Strawser on March 15, 1952 and they moved to Franklin County in 1967 where he continued employment in agricultural fertilizer and chemical industry, retiring after twenty five years of service. He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greencastle, a life member of Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW in Chambersburg, and a member of the Atomic Veterans in Greencastle. He served as the Hay and Grain Chairmen with the Franklin County Fair for twenty years and served on the Franklin County Extension. An avid reader, he liked gardening and yard work, and enjoyed making wooden crafts for many years, his specialty being rocking horses. He also collected trains, especially cabooses, and enjoyed spending time constructing and HO scale train display.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Carol E. Becker of Ithaca, NY and Patsy B. Best and husband Trent of Chambersburg; a granddaughter, Allison Drake Beaudry and husband Ryan of Chambersburg; a nephew, David Fitzgerald of Sellersville, PA; and a niece, Joan Cranmer of New Tripoli, PA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Fitzgerald.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Services and interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Home Care and Hospice, 2700 Luther Drive, Chambersburg, Pa 17202 or to the American Cancer Society, 384 Floral Avenue, Chambersburg, Pa 17201.