Randall Becker

Randall F. Becker Sr., a long-time resident of Middleburgh and President and Chairman of the Board of the Middleburgh Telephone Company (MTC), passed away on Saturday, April 1 after a short illness. He was 84.

Born in Rensselaerville in 1921, Randy was the son of Frank and Olive Becker and spent his early years in Huntersland, NY. A graduate of Middleburgh Central School, he attended Syracuse University. Randy joined the US Army Air Corps in 1942 during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. Randy joined the MTC in 1948 and helped break ground in 1953 on the location of their current headquarters at the corner of Cliff Street and Wells Avenue. During his 58 years at the MTC, Randy directed the growth of company from just 200 access lines to more than 7,200. MTC now serves over 350 square miles in Schoharie County and parts of Albany County. Randy oversaw the expansion of local and long-distance telephone service, cable TV, DSL and internet services. In April 2005, SUNY Cobleskill presented its annual Community Champion Award to MTC.

As a devoted resident of Middleburgh, Randy always spent a considerable amount of his time, energy and talents helping the community to grow and improve. His contributions to the community were numerous. Over the years he has served as an officer of the Middleburgh Methodist Church, Superintendent of Sunday School, and was Chairman of the Building Committee for the new fellowship hall. He was Master of the Masonic Lodge (No. 663), past President of the Rotary Club, and he was Rotary Club Citizen of the year in 2001. He has also been a member of the Middleburgh Fire Department, a Member of American Legion, served as Manager of the Middleburgh and Schoharie Little League and served on the Salvation Army Service Unit Committee as well as the County Red Cross Unit. His longer-standing service positions include being Councilman on the Middleburgh Town Board from 1950-1969 and on the Board of the New York State Telephone Association (NYSTA) from 1974 through 1986. Randy was honored for his 20 years of service on the Middleburgh Town Board by his fellow board members at the Lamp Post Tavern in 1997. The town also honored Randy in July of 1997 for outstanding community service when he was named Centennial Citizen of the Town of Middleburgh. In 2004, the Town of Middleburgh established The Marge and Randy Becker Community Service Award to recognize a community member who exemplifies outstanding community service annually. In January of 2006, Marge and Randy established a non-profit organization to benefit the Village of Middleburgh and Schoharie County. A gift to The Friends of Bassett towards the establishment of a Bassett Health Center in Middleburgh was also made.

Randy married the love of his life, Marjorie Silliman Rose, in 1946 and raised four sons. Even as he and Marge raised their family, Randy became involved in many of the local Middleburgh organizations, often holding a position of leadership. One of the most enjoyable activities that Randy became involved in with his boys and his community was the local Boy Scouts. Randy became a troop committeeman in 1961 and was elected Scoutmaster of Troop 2 in 1962. Randy attended Crumhorn Boy Scout Mountain Camp with his troop four summers in a row. In 1964 he was selected Scoutmaster of one of the council's two troops to the National Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA. During his many devoted hours to scouting, Randy served as a member of the council's executive board and as Co-Chairman of the Delotscho District Finance Committee. Not only did Randy lead his young troop members in many Boy Scout activities, he and Marge worked closely with their four sons to become Eagle Scouts and helped them obtain their God and Country Awards. In recognition of his distinguished service to Boy Scouts, Randy received the Silver Beaver Award in 1968, the highest honor accorded an adult scout leader by Otschodela Boy Scout Council. Randy was only the third Middleburgh resident to receive this distinguished award.

Randy is survived by his wife, Marge Becker of Middleburgh and his four sons, Randall 'Scott' (wife Barbara) Becker of Esperance, Edmund 'Ned' (wife Kathleen) Becker of Atlanta, Georgia, Chris Becker (wife Christine) and Bruce (wife Michele) Becker, both of Middleburgh. Marge and Randy also have five grandchildren, James Becker, Jason Becker, Keith Becker, Lori Mollitor, and Jordan Becker. In recent years, their family has grown with the addition of seven great-grandchildren, Brett, Dylan, Alanna, Hailey, Johannah, Megan, and Jacob.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tues. April 4, 2006 at the Middleburgh United Methodist Church, Main St. Middleburgh, NY. Rev. Carol Coltrain will officiate, assisted by Rev. Paul Ferenczy. Burial will take place in Middleburgh cemetery. Friends may call Mon., April 3, 2006 from 5-8 P.M. at the Palmer & Shaylor, Inc. Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Middleburgh Health Center in care of Scott A. Barrett, Executive Director, Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Middleburgh Library, PO Box 670, Middleburgh, New York, 12122, or Albany Medical Center Foundation, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Mailcode 119, Albany, New York, 12208-3478.