Wayne M. Becker passed away on October 6, 2025. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather; a gifted teacher and research scientist; a patient and loving mentor; and a faithful follower of Jesus.
Wayne was born on May 29,1940, to Marvin and Adela Becker. He grew up on a dairy farm near Merton, Wisconsin. After graduating from Arrowhead HS in 1958, Wayne enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the UW marching band, was a member of Delta Sigma Theta fraternity, and studied a year abroad in Bonn, Germany. His sophomore year, Wayne met Patricia Mickel on a blind date. They were married in Waukesha on June 22, 1963 (just 10 days after their graduation). Wayne and Pat were devoted to one another throughout their 62 years of marriage.
Wayne continued his education at UW-Madison, receiving his MS (1965) and PhD (1967) in biochemistry. Following two years of postdoctoral research in Glasgow, Scotland, Wayne began his career in the Department of Botany at his alma mater, where he was a professor for 33 years. During this time, he directed a research lab and oversaw numerous graduate students. Through his excellence in teaching and his innovation, he helped build the Biology Core Curriculum Program (a four-semester biology course). He was honored to receive the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1998. A significant accomplishment of Wayne’s was his textbook, The World of the Cell. First published in 1986, it is now in its 10th edition.
Wayne’s two daughters, Lisa and Heather, have treasured memories of their dad because he always prioritized time with them. He took a genuine interest in their activities and found teaching moments in everyday life. Favorite memories involve playing music as a family, gardening and traveling across North America and Europe in their VW camper bus. Later, Wayne brought that same excitement and patience to his role as “Grandpa” to his five grandchildren.
Wayne actively lived out his Christian faith in every area of his life. He taught adult Sunday school classes and led a variety of church groups. On the UW-Madison campus, he founded the Christian Fellowship of Biology Students and taught a weekly undergrad Bible study for more than 25 years. He was a frequent speaker at campus Christian groups, as well at churches and other Christian groups in Madison and beyond. Wayne also mentored more than 30 young men, taking his role seriously by providing guidance, instruction, and endless encouragement.
Upon his retirement in 2003, Wayne and Pat moved from Madison to their lake home near Waupaca, Wisconsin, and began splitting their year between Spencer Lake and their home in Ft Myers, Florida. The view of the lake and the steady stream of bird life brought Wayne a great deal of joy in his final years.
Wayne will be dearly missed by his wife, Patricia; their two daughters, Lisa (and David) Smit and Heather (and Roderick) Flemming; sisters Cheryl (and Raymond) Wachsmuth and Dorinne (and Michael) Geldon; sister-in-law Candie (and Roy) Peterson; grandchildren Julia (Tyler) Sykes, Megan and Sophie Smit, and Bryce and Christopher Flemming; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Adela Becker, and his sister Darlene (Gene) Grucelski.
A Memorial Service will be held for Wayne on Saturday, October 18th, at 2pm at Faith Community Church, N2541 County Road K, Waupaca, WI 54981. Visitation will be held from noon to 1:45pm at the church. Light refreshments will be served afterward.
Memorial contributions may be made to World Vision International at www.wvi.org/donate or to Faith Community Church at www.faithwaupaca.org/give.
