Bill Becker

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Bill Becker (November 10, 1916 in Chicago, Illinois – January 27, 2010 in Santa Monica, California) was an American journalist noted for his coverage of nuclear weapons tests,[1] political campaigns, scientific advances,[2] and major sporting events. He covered over 25 Rose Bowls and five World Series.[3]

Education[edit]

Becker attended the College of the Pacific, now the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, California. While there he played football under the legendary coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg.

Career[edit]

Following his graduation, Becker started his journalism career at the Arizona Republic. In 1944, he joined the Associated Press and covered numerous atomic tests. In 1956, he began a long career at The New York Times which resulted in over 600 articles. In 1957, he spent five months in Antarctica as a Times reporter during the International Geophysical Year.

From 1964 to 1966, he worked as writer for Universal Studios, returning to journalism in 1966 as a science writer for Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, while continuing to cover major sporting events for The New York Times.

Awards[edit]

Becker was awarded the University of the Pacific's Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit in 2008.[4]

Selected articles[edit]

  • Becker, Bill, "Fiery Cloud Dims the Sun as ‘Medium” Rips Desert", The Washington Post, October 29, 1951, p. 12
  • Becker, Bill, "The Man Who Sets Off Atomic Bombs", Saturday Evening Post, April 19, 1952, p. 32–33, 185–188.
  • Becker, Bill, "100 U.S. Scientists Briefed on International Geophysical Year", The New York Times, September 17, 1957. p. 18
  • Becker, Bill, Delays are Seen on Man in Space,; Von Braun and Others Cite Hazards—Hit on Moon by Rocket Is Doubted", The New York Times, November 24, 1958. p. 15
  • Becker, Bill, "X-15 Flies 2,650 M.P.H., Cracking Record; 9-Minute Desert Test Utilizes New Engine With Giant Thrust", The New York Times, March 8, 1961. p. 1
  • Becker, Bill, "Angels Doing Well... Except at Gate; Coast Club Drawing Poorly but Autry Is Optimistic", The New York Times, May 14, 1961. p. S2
  • Becker, Bill, "U.S. A-bomb Test for Peaceful Use Frees Radiation; Vapor Cloud Escapes Cave in New Mexico Blast—A.E.C. Doubts Danger", The New York Times, December 11, 1961. p. 1
  • Becker, Bill, "Stagg Gets a Nationwide Salute; President Is Among Well-Wishers for a Happy Birthday Grand Old Man of Football, Now 100, Still Speaks Out", The New York Times,, August 17, 1962. p. 15
  • Becker, Bill, "Cuba Quarantine Is Urged By Nixon; He Proposes Kennedy Take 'Stronger Action' at Once", The New York Times, September 19, 1962. p. 1
  • Becker, Bill, "Hoffa Testifies in Los Angeles; Barely Misses Robert Kennedy", The New York Times, February 14, 1963. p. 4
  • Becker, Bill, "Negroes on Coast March at Project; Say Developer Refuses to Sell Homes to Nonwhites", The New York Times, June 30, 1963. p. 46
  • Becker, Bill, "O. J. Simpson Goes From Goat to Hero With 9-Yard Run", The New York Times, October 20, 1968. p. S4

References[edit]

  1. ^ Becker, Bill, "U.S. A-bomb Test for Peaceful Use Frees Radiation; Vapor Cloud Escapes Cave in New Mexico Blast – A.E.C. Doubts Danger", The New York Times, December 11, 1961. p. 1
  2. ^ Becker, Bill, "X-15 Flies 2,650 M.P.H., Cracking Record; 9-Minute Desert Test Utilizes New Engine With Giant Thrust", The New York Times, March 8, 1961. p. 1
  3. ^ University of the Pacific, Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit Commendation, February 2008.
  4. ^ "Pacific to Honor Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit Recipients - University of the Pacific". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-12-07.