Richard Oscar Becker, Jr. ("Bud")

Richard Oscar Becker, Jr. (“Bud”), age 71, passed away on April 8, 2024, at his daughter’s home in Middletown, DE, surrounded by family during the solar eclipse. A true patriot, Bud was proud to be a Vietnam veteran born in the capital of the First State on the 4th of July. Bud was born in 1952 to Richard O. Becker, Sr., and Dolores Rheinwalt Becker (AKA Dick and Dee) of Reading, PA. He was raised in Wilmington, DE, and graduated from Salesianum High School in 1971 before escaping to join the United States Marine Corps the day after graduation. There, Bud parlayed his Sallies track prowess and traveled extensively on the All-Marine Corps track team, marathon team, and later the boxing team. He was also a water survival instructor. While a Marine, he ran well in the 1972 Olympic trials before his progress was halted by an accidental injury. His fastest unofficial marathon time was 2:37:00, and his fastest official time in Atlantic City, NJ, was 2:43:25. In his 1972 running log, he averaged 100-130 miles a week and noted a 7-minute mile as his “easy pace.” Bud often returned to Delaware on weekends to see his fiancée and run races in Brandywine Park. This landed him in trouble with his parents, who, not knowing he was in town, would read about his wins in the paper. On the Marine Corps boxing team, Bud succeeded as a two-time welterweight champ on the same team as future heavyweight champ Leon Spinks. He continued his boxing career after the Marines, amassing an amateur record of 49-5, having fought at Delaware Park and Fournier Hall. In January 1979, Bud “The Wrecker” Becker turned professional with trainer and ex-pro fighter Ronnie Branch at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD, on the Sugar Ray Leonard vs Johnny Gant undercard. As a pro, Bud fought at such venues as the Capital Centre, the Civic Center in Baltimore, and the Tropicana in Atlantic City 4 times, for Promoter Don Elbaum. Bud’s biggest win as a pro came on June 14, 1983, against Frankie Crossan (12-5) at the Tropicana. Bud took the fight on very short notice as a replacement for Crossan’s original opponent. He rocked Crossan with a left hook in the fifth round, which stunned Crossan and sent him to the ropes, unable to defend himself. The referee stopped the fight 2 minutes 25 seconds into the fifth round, giving Bud a TKO victory in just his fifth pro fight. Bud retired in 1983. In his early career, Bud was a fitness instructor at the European Health Spa, Wilmington Aquatic Club, and Kirkwood Fitness. He was known to turn the lights off and teach aerobics classes under a disco ball. At night, Bud could be found surrounded by women while moonlighting as a bouncer at the Royal Exchange, Café Montego, and Dillinger’s nightclubs. He loved dance competitions, and they loved him. He made a career pivot and spent the next 20+ years as a truck driver. He was an instructor at the USA Training Academy and later enjoyed driving racehorses up and down the East Coast. Gentle in spirit, he was known as the “Horse Whisperer.” As a big brother, Bud was adventurous and empathetic. The day before his baby sister turned 5, he sat her down to teach her how to tie her shoes, so she wouldn’t be embarrassed. His little brothers recall wildly sliding around the back of the station wagon while Bud successfully evaded a speeding ticket. As a dad, Bud was generous to a fault, patient, and had the heart of a teacher. In a world of cool dads, he was the coolest—except when he spun you on the merry-go-round, that was just terrifying! He was the dad who picked you up from school in a limousine for your first flight lesson (with your besties) or talked you into riding bikes together from North Wilmington to Bethany Beach (still hurts). Bud held many jobs over the years, but his favorite title was Grampop (followed closely by Dad, and volunteer at the MOT Senior Center). As a Grampop, the water was never too cold to teach cannonballs, and he liked to set up the moon bounce in the house. He spoiled his grandkids, granddogs, and his cat, Kitty. He told inappropriate jokes and had terrible taste in swimwear (some things can’t be unseen). He quickly made friends with wild animals, once resuscitated a goldfish, and even dove into the frozen Brandywine River to rescue a dog. He will be greatly missed by both man and beast. Bud lived life according to his own rules. His regrets were few but included unknowingly eating a Carolina Reaper pepper and perhaps the time he walked from Wilmington to Atlantic City—and back—with his best friend, Paul Rossi. Bud was preceded in death by his parents and childhood dog, Mimi. He is survived by his only child, Martha Becker Sturtevant (Michael); his six grandchildren, Roman Bernardo, Mary Katherine Jeffrey (Bryce), and Michael, Warner, Lelia, and Cambria Sturtevant; his siblings, Ann Ray, Carol Leamy, and Mary Ellen, Joan, Anthony, and Patrick Becker; 14 nieces and nephews; and 16 great-nieces and great-nephews. We would love to hear your Bud story. Please join us for a visitation from 9:30 am until 10:30 am on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at St. Joseph Parish, 319 E. Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 am, followed by a reception at the family’s residence. In honor of Bud’s patriotism, you are invited to incorporate a pop of red, white, and/or blue into your attire. Once a Marine, always a Marine: instead of flowers, Bud requested that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or online by clicking here. Bud will take his final sabbatical via the University of Delaware’s Anatomical Gift Program, after which he will be returned to the family for a private interment at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Richard Oscar Becker, Jr. ("Bud")

July 4, 1952 - April 8, 2024