Arthur "Steele" Becker

May 15, 1939 - June 18, 2019

Arthur “Steele” Becker, 80 Kearney resident Arthur “Steele” Becker, 80 of Kearney died Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at his home. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Area Animal Shelter. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Arthur “Steele” Becker was born May 15, 1939 in Lawrence, Kansas to Ann Margaret Becker and grew up in Clinton and Lawrence, Kansas. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1957. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas in 1962 and received his master’s degree from Indiana State University in 1964. Steele was united in marriage to the love of his life June Carol Flesner at their home in Kearney December 16, 2006. He was a professor at UNK for 43 years in the Geography Department. Steele began his career teaching Russian geography and ended teaching atmosphere, meteorology, and natural disasters, which he dearly loved. He received many awards during his professional career, published books, and wrote many research articles; however, what he loved most was teaching and mentoring students. Always proud of the students whose lives he had touched on their career paths. His loyalty and length of service to UNK entitled him to become the mace carrier at graduation ceremonies which made him so very proud. In the early 1970’s, he directed the NASA moon rock exhibit at KSC. From 1979-1988, he was president of Kearney Little League. He changed the program by eliminating tryouts, so every child had a chance to play, including girls. An All-Star Game bears his name. As an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman, one of Steele’s greatest loves was the Platte River of which he wrote many essays. In 1983, he began charting detailed maps of the 41 mile stretch of the river from West of Elm Creek, NE to the Interstate 80 interchange at Shelton, NE. By 1985, he and a research team had completed a total of 12 detailed maps covering a 112-mile stretch from Gothenburg, NE to Grand Island, NE running through Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall counties. Steele also enjoyed woodworking, gardening, bird watching, and antiquing; but most of all his kitty cats and puppy dog. He was an avid supporter of the Kearney Area Animal Shelter; he had a real soft spot for animals. Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, June; son, Bill Becker; daughter-in-law and son-in-law Brandy and Mike Smith; daughter-in-law and son-in-law, Karina and Peter Boatright; daughter-in-law, Belinda Becker; and 10 grandchildren, William Jr. (Buzz), Benjamin, Baylor, Bryce, Brook, and Jonathan Becker, Faith Sumpter, Mathew and Emily Smith, Tabbitha Friesen; and 2 great-grandchildren, Charlei and Brilei Sumpter. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael Becker and his mother, Ann Margaret Becker.