Rudolf B. Becker III, president and CEO of Becker Orthopedic, passed away April 30 at his home in Michigan. He was 73 years old. Becker was born July 17, 1949, in Detroit to Lucille and Otto Becker, who founded Becker Orthopedic in 1933.
Rudolf Becker earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Hartford, a master’s degree in zoology at the University of Nebraska, and a law degree at Tulane University. In 1977, he returned to Detroit to help run the family business, becoming president and CEO in 1980 and founding Becker Metal Works in 1986.
Becker was the 1994-1995 president of the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and received AOPA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. He represented AOPA on the National Office Board, including serving as the chair, and was a proponent of its O&P political action committee. A supporter of research and higher education, Becker donated $10,000 to create AOPA’s Otto and Lucille Becker Award.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn M. Becker, his oldest son Rudy Jr. (Sophie), his daughter Kristin (Nick), son Tom (Jamie), and five grandchildren.
