Chaminade co-founder
found peace in his work

When Joseph Becker celebrated his 75th year as a Marianist brother five months ago, dozens of former students gathered at Chaminade University of Honolulu's small chapel to congratulate the longtime professor and scholar.

"It was amazing how many students came," said Linda Iwamoto, a Chaminade English professor who first met Becker in 1968. "They always remembered him."

Becker, who joined five other Marianists in 1955 to form what would later become Kaimuki's Chaminade University, died Friday at Saint Francis Hospice in Nuuanu. He was 93.

From 1955 to 1980, Becker taught English at Chaminade. Many of his former students kept in contact with him long after his retirement, university officials said.

Becker was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to the islands in 1955. That same year, he helped found Saint Louis College.

He was also instrumental in the institution's transformation two years later into Chaminade University, and he wrote the institution's alma mater.

Before coming to the islands, Becker served as the principal of St. Joseph High School in Alameda, Calif. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton, his master's from the Dominican College in San Raphael, Calif., and his doctorate at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

At the ceremony commemorating his 75th year as a Marianist brother in April, Becker told attendees about how he was sure he had made the right choice of professions.

"One night before I fell asleep -- I was 13 then -- I felt great peace and joy as I was aware that God was calling me to become a Marianist brother," he said. "So for 75-plus years now, I have been trying to become a true son of Mary."

After he retired from Chaminade, Becker helped those confined to their homes with prayer and support.

He also visited Iwamoto's classroom every once in a while to read to her students in Middle English, she said.

"He had a very resonant, deep voice," Iwamoto said. "He had a very calming effect on people."

Becker was a member of the Marianist Province of the United States. He is survived by nieces and nephews.

Services are set for 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Chaminade's Mystical Rose Oratory, with visitation beginning at 5:30 p.m.

His burial is set for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at Diamond Head Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Brother Joseph Becker Scholarship Fund at Chaminade University.