Frank Robert Becker

Frank Robert “Bob” Becker, age 88, passed away peacefully of natural causes on June 7, 2023, at his home in Lakeland, Florida.

Becker was born in Flint, Michigan, on May 4, 1935, to Frank A. and Helen Woodworth Becker. When he was two years old, Becker’s father died. He and his younger sister Louise were raised by their single mother in Lansing, Michigan.

Becker attended J. W. Sexton High School in Lansing, was active in sports, and enjoyed many friendships made there throughout his life (including Ward Goodwin of San Antonio, Texas, a childhood friend who survives Becker). He attended Michigan State University, graduating in 1957. Becker served as MSU’s student body president during his senior year.

It was also at Michigan State where Becker met his first wife, Dona Margaret “Suzi” Wright. They were married from 1957 to 1978. The couple had three sons: John (born 1958), Charles “Chuck” (born 1961), and Andrew (born 1965).

During those years, Becker held various sales jobs for KVP Sutherland (later Brown Co.), Georgia Pacific, and The James River Company. The family lived in several Midwestern cities before residing briefly in Saratoga, California in the early 1970’s.

In 1972, Becker moved the family to Lakeland, Florida, to start his own paper plate manufacturing business, Leisure Way. Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Walmart were just a few of Leisure Way’s significant accounts. Before selling Leisure Way in 1998, Becker built the business into one with $12+ million in annual sales and over a billion plates pressed yearly. Becker’s son Chuck was also a key business partner at Leisure Way.

In 1979, Becker married Sharon Brown of Lakeland. They were married until 1996. In 1982, the couple had a daughter, Andrea Louise.

Becker was also married to Beth Perry Diacon of Lakeland from 1999 to 2003.

In 2005, Becker met Michell Hollingsworth Quaintance of Lakeland. The two were together until his recent passing.

The countless friendships Becker maintained throughout his life were an essential part of who he was. He embodied one of his favorite phrases, “To have friends, you have to be a friend.” Becker’s friends knew him as a kind and generous person with a wonderful sense of humor and a sincere desire to help others.

Becker regularly attended First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, and his religion was very important to him. He also believed strongly in giving back to the community that had given so much to him and his family. Among his many accomplishments and honors are:

Board Chairman, Lakeland Family YMCA (1983 – 1984)

President, Lakeland Rotary Club (1992)

Lakeland Family YMCA, George Williams Society Award (1991)

Board Chairman, United Way of Central Florida (1993)

Board Chairman, Learning Resource Center

United Way of Central Florida, George Jenkins Volunteer of the Year (1995)

Chairman, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce (1996)

Chairman, Lakeland Economic Development Council (1999 – 2000)

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce George Jenkins Award Recipient (2002)

Boys Club of Lakeland

Board Member, SunBank

Becker is survived by his long-standing significant other, Michell Hollingsworth Quaintance of Lakeland, Florida.

He is also survived by three sons, John N Becker of Atlanta, Georgia; Charles Allen “Chuck” Becker (Anne) of Lakeland, Florida; and Andrew Woodworth Becker of Brandon, Florida. He is also survived by a daughter, Andrea Louise Becker, of Pompano Beach, Florida.

Becker is also survived by four grandchildren, Charlotte Marie Becker Sapienza (Jay) of Vero Beach, Florida; Laura Anne Becker (Michael) of Lakeland, Florida; Carole Michelle Becker (Ryan Lynch) of Tampa, Florida; and Michael Robert Becker of Tampa, Florida. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Lillian Greene of Herndon, Virginia; Anthony Sapienza of Vero Beach, Florida; Sophia Sapienza of Vero Beach, Florida; and Noah Charles Lynch of Tampa, Florida.

Becker was preceded in death by his father, Frank A. Becker; mother, Helen Woodworth Becker; and sister H. Louise Becker.

A memorial and celebration of life for Bob Becker will be held on Monday, June 19, at First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, 72 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland, FL, 33803. The family will welcome friends during a one-hour reception starting at 10:00 a.m. A memorial ceremony will follow. These services are open to the public. Becker’s cremains will be interred in the church’s columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to The GiveWell Community Foundation, Inc.