Edward G. Becke, a lifelong civilian Navy employee who resided in Fairhaven, Maryland, died at his home on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. He was 90 years old.
Edward Garland Becke was born and raised in Washington, DC, where he attended DC public schools and took classes in engineering at George Washington University. He started his career in 1941 at the Washington Navy Yard working as a machinist during WWII. After the War, he began work at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), where he would work in various capacities for the next 68 years. During his time at NRL, Mr. Becke designed and installed the first low frequency submarine periscope antenna at New London, CT. He was part of a group that developed the first U.S. spy satellite, which was launched in June of 1960. His patented design was used in over 1000 satellite antennas. In the early 1960’s he traveled around the world to help plan, design, and supervise the installation of a worldwide network of ground antenna stations for satellites. At the time of his death, he was still working one day a week as a consultant on the history of NRL.
In addition to his career with the Navy, Mr. Becke was widely regarded for his contributions to the community of Fairhaven on Herring Bay, where he lived for 58 years. He donated his time, tools and expertise to help individual neighbors and the community as a whole. One of the many projects he spearheaded was the building of a community swim platform in 1965 that has been used by generations of residents.
In 1983 he placed a Christmas tree on the swim platform as a gift to a dying friend. With the help of neighbors over the past 30 years, that has become a tradition in memory of those who have passed. His tireless efforts on behalf of the community drew many commendations over the years. In 2001 he received a Governor’s Citation (Parris Glendening) for “contribution to the betterment of your community and the great State of Maryland,” and was named an “Honorary Commodore of Herring Bay.” He also received an executive citation from the County Executive of Anne Arundel County (John Leopold, 2007) for dedicated service to the community, and “immeasurable contributions to others in thought, word, and deed.” Besides his many projects, Mr. Becke’s home was a social hub of the neighborhood for many years. Whether hosting crab feasts or just an evening happy hour, neighbors gathered at his home almost daily.
His wife of 55 years, Betty Pulliam Becke, died in 1999. Survivors include three children, Barbara Becke Smith (Stephen) of Fairhaven, MD, Alan Edward Becke (Joanna) of Greensboro, MD, and Nancy Becke Kelly (Dennis) of Fairhaven, MD; a brother, Albert Becke, of Hyattsville, MD; nine grandchildren; and his companion, Barbara Miller, also of Fairhaven.