Dr. C. D. Becker, known as Dale, crossed the Great Divide to meet his Lord and Savior on 25 January 2025, in Richland, WA, at age of 94.

He was born in 1930 in Albany, OR, the only child of Clarence Charles and Ida Marie Becker. He was a fifth generation American whose ancestors entered this country in 1846 and homesteaded new lands, first in WI then MN. His grandfather moved west to the Willamette Valley, OR, in 1900. His parents survived the Great Depression as store owner and teacher in rural Crabtree. Dale started work in farm fields at age 11 and went to high school in Albany and began college at Oregon State University.

At OSU, Dale majored in Wildlife Management. He also wrestled for the Beavers and as a senior, placed 2nd at 165 lbs. in the 18-team, Pacific Coast meet in 1953. During the summers of 1952 and 1953, he worked in fisheries for the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Alaska to gain experience and help pay for his education. He wrote his Master’s thesis on the Native oyster in Yaquina Bay, earning a MS in Fisheries in 1955 with Honors.

At the Fisheries Research Institute, University of WA, Seattle, Dale was part of a small group of biologists who initiated research on red salmon runs in Bristol Bay, Alaska from 1955-1959. The work established a scientific basis for management of major fisheries, and aspects of the program are continued today by the Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game. He earned a doctorate in Fisheries from the University of WA in 1964 based on studies of a blood parasite in Pacific salmon. After a brief stint as Fisheries Research Professor, he joined Battelle, PNNL and moved his family to Richland, WA, in 1967. He retired in 1993 after 26 years as a scientist specializing in fish parasites, aquatic ecology, water pollution and the environment. During his career, he authored over 70 research papers, a monograph, and four books, including the comprehensive “Forty Years of Bioenvironmental Studies in the Hanford Reach, Columbia River,” 1990, Elsevier Science Publishers. He also discovered and described three new species of fish parasites named after him.

After earning his MS in 1955, he married Altamae Dentel of Jordan Valley, OR, a union that lasted 5 yr and produced no children. While a graduate student, he met and married Joanne C. Downs of Renton, WA, in 1962, a registered nurse who become his love, companion, confidant and supporter. They were together 62 years and raised four children.

Dr. Becker belonged to several professional organizations during his career, including the American Fisheries Society (AFS), American Microscopical Soc., and American Society of Parasitologists. He served terms as Associate Editor of both the Transactions of the AFS and North American Journal of Fisheries Management. He was honored with the Society’s Distinguished Service Award in 1980 and, later, with a Fellowship, American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists.

He lived with a hearing disability, and “played the hand he was dealt” becoming an active contributor to the national group “Self Help for Hard of Hearing People” (SHHH) for over 18 years. He was an advocate for people with hearing disabilities, hearing aid use, cochlear implants, and captioning for TV and movies. With a core group from WA and OR, he helped plan and conduct the two first regional SHHH conventions in Portland and, later, was in charge of the exhibit room at the 2002 National Convention of SHHH in Seattle. During retirement, he expanded his interests by spending time with his grandchildren, house planning, outdoor activities, gardening, and travel. He and Joanne were able to visit many US cities during his career while attending scientific meetings. He and Joanne also visited Brazil’s Amazon, Peru and the historical Machu Picchu, and took several trips to Mexico, including stays at Puerto Vallarta and the Aztec empire complex in Yucatan. Their travels included England & France, including the Normandy beaches, and extended trips to eastern China, (including Tibet & Hong Kong), South Africa, Thailand, and Cambodia.

He spent years researching and writing his ancestry & left his family history as a legacy to his descendants. He enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors by taking his family camping, fishing, hunting and occasionally geode hunting. He was proud of his family and loved them deeply.

Survivors include his wife Joanne of Richland, son Terren (Robin) of Kennewick, son Kendal (Michelle) of Richland, daughter Susan (Patrick) Ombrellaro of Issaquah, daughter Sarah of Renton, and 10 granddaughters and a grandson.

Memorial services will be held Sunday March 9th, 2:00pm at Einan’s at Sunset Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Hwy, Bldg. H, Richland, WA 99352.

“Contributions in his name can be made to Hearing Loss Association of America, 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 320, Rockville, MD 20852.

E-mail: national@hearingloss.org or website: www.hearingloss.org