Home: East Hampton, N.Y., and Jupiter, Fla.
Degrees: A.B., science, Union, 1940; L.H.D., Honorary, Union, 1980
Profession: Retired developer/owner, Howard Johnson Company
Career highlights: Topographer, U.S. Geologic Survey; U.S. naval officer, Atlantic Fleet; self-employed residential and commercial developer; developer and operator of the largest Howard Johnson's franchise in the United States
Career advice: “Select a field of employment that you will get great pleasure from, stay with it and work hard because the competition out there is keen.”
Union honors: Alumni Gold Medal, 2000
Most memorable Union moments: “I worked at Hale House; I waited on tables and ran the cash register for breakfast. I earned 35 cents an hour or a meal. When I went to school, tuition was $400 per year.”
Faculty member who had the greatest impact: Coach Bill Ketz. “He kept me on the freshman cross-country team and the varsity swimming team in spite of the fact that I always finished last.”
Best college friend: Fred Wyatt '35. “He kept me so tuned in to this college. His dedication ignited my own college spirit.”
Legacy on campus: Funded renovation of Old Gym Hall to Becker Hall for Admissions in 1981; rededicated the building as the Stanley R. Becker Career Center in 2002; has supported an annual scholarship for five students since 1978.
Hobbies: Transatlantic offshore sailor, collector of museum-grade artifacts including American historical documents, scrimshaw and one of the largest collections of 18th century French prisoner-of-war bone model ships
Favorite way to relax: Offshore sailing
Favorite book: John Adams by David McCullough
Words to live by: “The Golden Rule has always been my benchmark.”