Rita Becker

BECKER, "Rita" Gertrude passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at Southview Hospital. Rita courageously managed a debilitating illness for many years, and never faltered in her will to live until the end. Rita was born on September 18, 1922 in Batumi, Republic of Georgia, USSR. Her early years were spent on her grandparent's farm in Tblisi, Georgia. Educated as an Engineer of Applied Mechanical Sciences, Rita worked in civil engineering, aerospace engineering as an airframe designer for the Messerschmitt GMBH during WWII. After the war and with no homeland to return to, Rita was sponsored as a refugee to come to the United States. She became a productive model citizen who contributed her talents on projects for the U.S. Air Force from the 50's through 80's. Rita was a longtime resident of Washington Township and commented in her last week of life how nice the Dayton area is. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Heinz Becker, her father Genrick, Mother Lydia and sister, Gudrun. She is survived by her only child, Christopher, his wife Susan, and their daughter Katharine, all of Oakwood. Services to celebrate Rita's life will be held Friday May 8th at 10:00 AM at the Lutheran Church of Savior 155 E. Thruston Ave. in Oakwood. Following the service, friends and family will proceed to David's Cemetery for burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Oakwood, to fund summer camp scholarships for less fortunate children. Arrangements by The Westbrock Funeral Home, Wayne Avenue.