Edward P. Becker

Edward Paul Becker, 87, of Bethlehem died October 9, 2017 at home. Born October 20, 1929, he was the son of the late Joseph H. and A. Catherine (Kimenhour) Becker. His wife, Helen Elinor (Rayda) Becker, predeceased him on December 26, 2016, and he joined her in eternity on their 63rd wedding anniversary. He graduated from Bethlehem High School (1947). He earned his BS (1951) and MS (1954) Degrees in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University. Edwards career as a civil engineer spanned over 50 years in structural steel design, construction, consulting, and teaching. He started his career as a design engineer with consulting firms in Harrisburg. He then joined Lehigh Structural Steel Company in Allentown where he was the companys Chief Engineer for 20 years before retiring in 1987. During his career, he was involved in the design and construction of many notable projects such as the Schuylkill Expressway, the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike, the Air Force One Hangar at Andrews Air Force Base, the Jacob Javits Convention Center, and various high rise buildings in New York City. Upon retiring, he opened his own Consulting Engineering Office and undertook forensic work as an expert witness in cases involving litigation of structural steel projects. Concurrently he taught structural steel courses at Lehigh University and Lafayette College before retiring again in June 2000. Among his many professional activities, Edward chaired a National Task Committee on Design Responsibility for Steel Building for the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was President of the PA Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE); President of the PA State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Surveyors and Geologists; and Member of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. He received many honors and awards including being named “Man Who Made Marks in 1985” by Engineering News Record; Pennsylvanias Engineer of the Year in 1980 by PSPE; and awarded the Lehigh University Alumni Award at his 50th class reunion. Edward was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the US Army combat engineers in Korea and Japan, with an honorable discharge as a Captain in 1961. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 1 campaign star, the United Nations service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the National Defense Medal.

Survivors: Edward will be lovingly remembered by his two daughters Stacey Kuhns, M.D. (wife of Dennis Kuhns) and Jill Creveling (wife of Curtis Creveling), and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by a granddaughter (Laura Kuhns), a brother William who was killed in Normandy during WWII, brothers Harold and Lawrence, and sisters Helen Harkins, Alice Ridley, and Francis Washabaugh.

Services: A calling hour will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 9:45-11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. at St. Annes Catholic Church, 450 Washington Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017. Burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to the church, Lehigh University, or Laura Kuhns Memorial Fund at Stewartstown United Methodist Church Summer Theater, P.O. Box 398, Stewartstown, PA 17363

Cemetery
Holy Saviour Cemetery
2575 Linden St.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Calling Hours
Friday, October 13, 2017
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Anne's R. C. Church
450 E. Washington Ave.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US
(610) 867-5039

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, October 13, 2017
11:00 AM
St. Anne's Catholic Church
450 Washington Ave.
Bethlehem PA 18017
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531