Robert P. Becker

Robert P. “Bob” Becker, 59, of Dover, died Tuesday, April 13, 2004 after a brief battle with cancer.

Bob had most recently been employed as a production supervisor for the Luk Company at Wooster. He was also a past-owner of the Downtown Restaurant in Dover.

Born August 15, 1944 at Dover, he was the son of the late Paul and Mae Holzworth Becker.

A 1962 graduate of Dover High School, Bob was blessed with a passion to play, and later to coach, baseball. He was an outstanding player in his younger years having gone on from high school to play collegiate ball at Bowling Green State University. From BG, Bob and his fastball landed with the Baltimore Orioles farm system where he pitched for one year.

Bob then became a fixture on local sandlots as a longtime coach in the Dover youth baseball program. He would later coach as an assistant with the Dover High varsity baseball team from 1981-1987. During that stretch, the Tornadoes won a Cardinal Conference championship in �(TM)82, were District champions and Regional runners-up in �(TM)83, and again won the District and were Regional semi-finalists in 1984.

With the growth and popularity of the Roy Hobbs baseball league, Bob was able to return to the diamond as a player, having taken the field for both the Tuscarawas County Indians and Wood Electric.

On February 19, of this year, Bob celebrated 38 years of marriage to his loving wife, the former Vivian Haswell, who survives.

Other survivors include: three children; Robert Andrew “Andy” Becker and his wife Carrie Weygandt of Wooster, Belinda Renae Becker of Chicago, IL, and Michael Anthony “Mike” Becker, a student at the College of Wooster, two grandchildren; Avery Lynn & Drew Michael Becker of Wooster, a sister; Cinda Steven of Canton, his mother and father-in-law; Ed and Mary Haswell of Strasburg, brothers-in-law; Ed (Chris) Haswell of Strasburg, Butch Haswell of Fairmont, WV and Bart Haswell of Newcomerstown, nieces; Molly (Eric) Sheetz of Canton, Dorrisa (Eric) Bitikofer of Strasburg, Adrienne and Rachel Haswell of Fairmont, WV, and Jami Haswell of Dover, and nephews; Hunter Haswell of Strasburg and Ryan Haswell of Dover.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Janie Becker.

A service celebrating Bob�(TM)s life will be held Friday, at 11:00 a.m. in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home, Dover. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park with a reception immediately following in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 5-8 p.m.

Those unable to attend or wishing to share a fond memory may sign the online register book for Bob by visiting the “obituaries” link on the funeral home�(TM)s website.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to support the Dover youth baseball program, PO Box 51, Dover, Ohio 44622.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com