David Dean Becker

David Dean Becker, born December 5, 1945, passed away peacefully in Chanhassen, Minnesota on Friday, April 19, 2024. Dave was the second born son to Walter and Alvera Becker of South St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from South St. Paul High School, he went on to earn his certification as a Tool and Die maker and was able to utilize his skills in the Army where he served his country as a machinist. In 1977, Dave was hired by 3M as a Systems Control Technician. After 30 years at 3M, Dave retired as a Senior Technologist. His retirement was spent pursuing his love of flying. David's passion for flying started shortly after high school when he earned his private pilot's license. After a few years of hobby flights, he decided to train as an aerobatic pilot which required parachute training. Dave took his first jump course to learn parachute safety and quicky traded in his wings for a parachute. While working as a jump instructor, David met his wife Monta as she took her first of many jumps. On July 28, 1972, Dave and Monta married while living overseas in Australia. Dave had a love of photography and was rarely seen without his camera. He combined his love of jumping with his love of photography by welding a camera and camcorder to his helmet, photographing and videoing thousands of amateur and professional skydivers. After 2,000 jumps, Dave retired from jumping and went back to his first love: flying. Dave joined the EAA Chapter 54 Flying Club in Lake Elmo, MN and immediately got involved with the Young Eagles program. Dave served as a pilot and Certified Flight Instructor for many years, providing free plane rides to kids from the ages of 8-17. In his favorite plane, the Piper Archer, Dave introduced the aviation experience to hundreds of kids, giving them the opportunity to take the controls once in the air. In December 2021, Dave and Monta moved to Riley Crossing in Chanhassen, MN where he was the self-appointed greeter, spending his days welcoming residents and visitors to the building. Throughout his life, Dave went out of his way to make others smile. Whether it was a joke told at breakfast, a card or impromptu song on your birthday, or the red clown nose he put on any time a child walked by, Dave made it a personal goal to make people smile. Dave is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Alvera Becker and brother Ken Becker. He is survived by his wife, Monta Becker, sister-in-law Mary Becker (Ken), niece Kelly Sorkin (David), nephew Kevin Becker, and grandnephews Aaron and Eli Sorkin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the EAA Chapter 54 Young Eagles Program. Donations made in Dave's honor will be put towards their scholarship program which sponsors young pilots for a week at the EAA Air Academy. All are welcome to join us immediately following the service to celebrate Dave the only way we know how: with Burgers and a Beer! Location details will be available after the service. Donations can be sent via the below link or by mailing a check to EAA Chapter 54 https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa54/join-renew-donate/membership-donate Lake Elmo Airport-EAA Building Attn: Treasurer 3275 Manning Ave North Suite 7 Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Tributes

David Dean Becker

December 5, 1945 - April 19, 2024

Tributes

David Dean Becker

December 5, 1945 - April 19, 2024

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