Pioneer of Peoria: Ray Becker
11/14/18 – East Peoria, IL – Ray Becker is a man who was involved with the very first ICC buildings constructed in East Peoria, Illinois. This story begins 70 years ago when Mr. Becker was a junior in high school. He was the only child remaining at home while his brothers served in World War II. Mr. Becker had a paper route and became the school janitor at the age of 14, when the previous janitor died leaving the job vacant. There was no time for sports like the other high school kids. He had a full-time summer job working construction jobs. Then, as a junior in high school, Mr. Becker approached the school board, hoping for credits to graduate early, creating the first work release program in Peoria. During his first concrete job, he bid for 200 houses and was successful. It took two years to complete his contract. He bought his first car, a 1949 Ford convertible.
Becker then bought his own brother out of his business when his brother relocated to California. I see this as no small feat of accomplishment for a high school teenager. This was clearly an early display of character—his determination and drive to work. This will become the foundation that makes a local legend, who defines the cultural greatness of a community and city. I was astounded by the museum that sits adjacent to his office, where his secretary of 40 years had turned her office into the museum it is today. She had converted her office into the museum by collecting and documenting achievements and major events. 
Mr. Becker became a board member at Eureka College during some of its darkest days. President Reagan’s brother was also on the board. A relationship was born between Mr. Becker and Ronald Reagan, who was attending the college. They became good friends in college and Mr. Becker became an advisor, traveling to the White House to give updates and advise President Reagan. Knowing the kind of drive and brass tacks it took to get to where he was, you can now feel Mr. Becker’s hand involved looking back on that presidency, and the growth of those facilities. When President Reagan passed away, Becker was invited to the funeral and has stayed in touch with the former President’s family through the years.
Today there is a Becker Street in Peoria and in Bartonville. Mr. Becker has pulled the most permits ever in Peoria required for construction. He has built over 200 homes on the south side of town, and the twin towers in downtown Peoria alongside the Becker building. He’s built around 82 nursing homes nationwide and has a construction company in Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Becker has decided to retire and rest. He is a devoted Catholic, never missing mass. “9,000 days and counting,” he says. For 33 years he would ‘snowbird’ to Florida. Though his health has left him blind in the left eye from arthritis, Mr. Becker exercises daily and remains happy and motivated with the love of his wife. He walks with a cane but enjoys his freedom to do it all on his own, whether it is going to mass everyday around 11:30 am or stopping by his office to finish packing up his desk for retirement. Mr. Becker retires without any regrets, and his 70 years of accomplishments are that which define what it means to be an American, and a pioneer of a community and town in our Peoria.
By David Prim