by Linda McCandless
Geneva, NY - "He was without question one of the finest human beings there was," commented Dr. Hugh C. Price, Chair of Horticultural Sciences at Cornell University's Agricultural Experiment Station, upon learning of the sudden and tragic death of Robert Becker, 64, retired associate professor of horticulture and former extension agent for vegetables.
Bob died much as he lived - doing something for other people. He was helping to paint the roof on the First United Methodist Church in Rushville on Tuesday, July 23, when he apparently slipped on a wet spot and fell to the ground, hitting his head on a concrete sidewalk. He was air-lifted to Strong Memorial Hospital where he died several hours later.
Bob's list of friends were many, not only within the Cornell community but throughout the entire nation. Examples were in some of the awards given to him by the many organizations with which he was connected. He received a special award for 33 years of service from the New York State Cabbage Research Association in 1992, the Outstanding Leadership Award from the New York State Vegetable Conference Planning Committee in 1992, and the Extension Division Award of Excellence from the American Society for Horticultural Science in 1989.
He received his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire in horticulture in 1954 and his Master's degree in botany from the same university in 1956. He also did post graduate work at the University of Missouri in the field of horticulture from 1957-1959.
Before coming to Geneva, Bob was an assistant county agricultural agent in Wayne County from 1959-1960 and then the regional extension specialist on vegetables for Ontario County Cooperative Extension from 1960-1970. His work and rapport that he developed with growers and processors was so well appreciated that he was named the extension specialist on vegetables for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He held that position from 1970-1986. Again, he was highly successful and was named an associate professor of horticultural sciences in 1986. Bob retired in 1992.
Even in retirement, Bob devoted considerable time to the Station. He continued to serve as a resource person and provided support for the vegetable extension field staff and, during the season, would often be seen with them in different counties as they worked with growers and processors. He also helped with the Station's variety evaluation programs on snap bean, sweet corn, and cabbage. He participated actively in the planning process for the New York State Vegetable Conference, and even assisted with some of the annual commodity advisory committee meetings.
On retirement, Bob added a major commitment to his already full plate. He became the editor of a new publication, The Fruit Quarterly , which is a combined project of the New York State Horticulture Society and the Geneva Station. It is a highly regarded resource on latest advances in research, particularly on tree fruits. In his typical fashion, Bob molded this publication into an outstanding document that was cited by other organizations in the state and country for its content and style.
Bob had many interests beyond Cornell University and the Station. He was a specialist on the history of the development of vegetables. He frequently spoke to groups about this subject. During the centennial year for the Experiment Station, he was in charge of designing and planting a Heritage Garden, which was located on our main campus. This garden had examples of varieties of vegetables grown 100 years previously and compared them to the kinds of vegetables grown today. During the course of the summer, more than 25,000 visitors stopped by the garden and, in the process, became aware of the Geneva Station and learned what we did to serve New York agriculture.
Bob was also a marvelous woodworker who specialized in carving birds that one would find along the ocean. In addition to his carvings, Bob frequently made pieces of furniture and did much of his own work around his home, as well as volunteering his services for numerous community organizations.
Some of the professional organizations to which Bob belonged included the New York State Association of County Agricultural Agents where he had been the secretary and vice president, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, the American Society for Horticultural Science, the Association of Living Historic Farms and Agricultural Museums, and the Empire State Soil Fertility Association.
He is survived by his wife, Fay, three children, and six grandchildren.
Contributions may be made in Bob's memory to the United Methodist Church in Rushville, Rushville, NY 14504; Doctors without Borders, 11 East 26th St. Suite #1904; NY, NY 10010 (Phone 212-679-6800), or Mercy Flight Helicopters, 2420 Brickyard Rd., Canandaigua, NY 14424 (phone 716-396-0584).
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Page created September 6, 1996 by Cathy Weeden