Charles Otto Becker
Birth: April 9, 1923 / Blue Island, IL
Death: January 9, 2008 / Palos Heights, IL Age: 84 Married: Irma Rose Bertha Rusch Children: 3 Profession: NICOR Gas Businessman, WWII Army Veteran, Entrepreneur of Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant Franchises, Palos Heights Business and Economic Development Committeeman, and Deacon of Palos Heights Lutheran Church of Good Shepard |
At the Beginning
Charles Otto Becker was one of five children to Charles Tobias Becker and Amanda Becker (née Werner). As the middle child, he had two older siblings, Arthur and Irene, and two younger siblings Joyce and Donald.
Throughout his childhood, his family lived in many places within Blue Island, IL because his father did not work regularly, which led to an unstable income often forcing the family to frequently move since they could not afford to make their rent payments. And, often times, the struggling family did not have very much food to eat and were fed by the Werner family.
To help the family, financially, Charles worked at an Ice House during his teen years. Back then, refrigerators did not exist like they do today and homes used large blocks of ice to keep their food cool and preserved.
Throughout his childhood, his family lived in many places within Blue Island, IL because his father did not work regularly, which led to an unstable income often forcing the family to frequently move since they could not afford to make their rent payments. And, often times, the struggling family did not have very much food to eat and were fed by the Werner family.
To help the family, financially, Charles worked at an Ice House during his teen years. Back then, refrigerators did not exist like they do today and homes used large blocks of ice to keep their food cool and preserved.
Growing Up
Charles graduated from Blue Island High School where he became very close with five other pals who called themselves “The Big 6.” The guys had sweaters made that carried the number six, but no one outside of the group ever learned what that meant. This group must have meant a lot to him, because for the rest of his life the number six was often found around him—for example he chose the number to be on his license plate, which was “COB 6”, his initials and the number 6 for The Big 6 group.
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The War
When World War II (WWII) broke out, Charles was still in High School but joined the Army when he was 19. He learned Morris Code and was assigned to be a Radio Operator on a Liberty Ship. A Liberty Ship carried troops and supplies to the battle zones. Liberty Ships were attacked by Kamikazes, which the Japanese used to destroy the ships or at least change the ship's course. Charles participated in three sea battles, for which he received Battle Stars.
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For his ship, Charles decoded the final message of the Pacific war which said “The War is Over.” Because of the significance of this message, he wanted to be sure it was accurate and asked for that message to be resent, it was—and the war really did end at that time. The Japanese had surrendered after the U.S. nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Following the war, Charles and Irma returned to the Midwest, specifically to an apartment in Alsip, IL. This is where they had their first child, Charles Ralph Becker in 1947. Eventually, the young couple moved into a two flat in Blue Island, IL, which Irma’s mother, Anna Maria Rusch (née Bauer) owned and also lived in with Irma’s sister Irene Rusch.
Following the war, Charles and Irma returned to the Midwest, specifically to an apartment in Alsip, IL. This is where they had their first child, Charles Ralph Becker in 1947. Eventually, the young couple moved into a two flat in Blue Island, IL, which Irma’s mother, Anna Maria Rusch (née Bauer) owned and also lived in with Irma’s sister Irene Rusch.
Building A Place Called Home
In 1952, the Becker family moved to 12133 76th Palos Heights, IL. A rural area at the time, Charles paid $700 for the lot, and he and his older brother Art dug out the foundation (photo to the right). He and Irma borrowed $5,000 from the bank to build the house. Later on, Charles added a family room and hand built the fireplace on the west side of the house. He was always a very handy person. It was a small house, but he added big picture windows on two sides of the living room which made for a great view. At the time, this house was across from a Catholic Convent which today is the Palos Hospital facility.
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Career Opportunity, Moving on Up
Following WWII, Charles started work with Northern Illinois Gas as a meter
reader earning $120 a month, which was not much to live on in those days. Before joining Northern Illinois Gas, he had an opportunity to work for a telephone company, but because Charles was left-handed, they would not want to hire him.
reader earning $120 a month, which was not much to live on in those days. Before joining Northern Illinois Gas, he had an opportunity to work for a telephone company, but because Charles was left-handed, they would not want to hire him.
Charles, or C-O-B as he was often called, worked his way through the ranks at Northern Illinois Gas and eventually became a key executive of this company with extensive responsibility and management duties. He was also a lobbyist for the company and did work in Springfield, IL paying off legislators for rate increases. He did not like this part of the work, but he did what he was told. For Northern Illinois Gas, he also ran the real estate department, the right away department, and the total energy department. He was the right hand man and confidant of the Chairman C. J. Gauther. They both worked their way up the ranks of the company from their days in the Blue Island District.
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COB negotiated the selling of an old Northern Illinois Gas office to the city of Palos Heights. After the city purchased the building, they converted it into their city hall for pennies on the dollar.
COB worked for NICOR for his entire career which was almost 40 years.
COB worked for NICOR for his entire career which was almost 40 years.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
In addition to his day job at the gas company, COB bought into the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise business in 1966. Over the years, he owned five stores with partners. This substantially changed his financial situation and it allowed he and Irma to travel extensively. He also liked to drive Cadillac’s in those days and seemed to enjoy the new life style the many KFC's provided him and his wife.
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Charles Becker Family Photo in 1995: Back Row (left to right): Charles Ralph Becker, Charles Otto Becker, Kirk Becker, Mark Philip Gibboney. Sitting (left to right) Bridget Becker, Claudia Becker, Irma Becker, Jack Becker, Alex Becker, Lauren Becker (baby), Kim Becker, Susan Gibboney, Jennifer Gibboney. Kneeling (left to right): Heidi Becker and Elizabeth Gibboney
Generous, self made man; from beginning to end
Charles was the father of three children, Charles Ralph, Susan and Kirk. He had eight grandchildren,
one great-grandchild, and had been married for 63 years before he passed away. He passed away in 2008 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Charles is buried at First Lutheran Cemetary in Alsip, IL.
His first interest was always his family and then the church. He was a dedicated husband and provider. He had the respect of all that knew him and never asked for much in return.
Charles was an excellent role model and father. He asked nothing for himself and shared whatever he could with his family including substantial support of his sisters. His goal was that his children graduate from college, and that they did at his expense.
He had extensive contacts and innumerable friends and associates. He was a powerful man in his world and accomplished many significant things, like helping make Northern Illinois Gas (NICOR) a large successful company.
Charles was a devote Lutheran and attended church every Sunday. He was President of the
congregation and did a lot of the work to keep the Lutheran Church alive in Palos Heights.
one great-grandchild, and had been married for 63 years before he passed away. He passed away in 2008 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Charles is buried at First Lutheran Cemetary in Alsip, IL.
His first interest was always his family and then the church. He was a dedicated husband and provider. He had the respect of all that knew him and never asked for much in return.
Charles was an excellent role model and father. He asked nothing for himself and shared whatever he could with his family including substantial support of his sisters. His goal was that his children graduate from college, and that they did at his expense.
He had extensive contacts and innumerable friends and associates. He was a powerful man in his world and accomplished many significant things, like helping make Northern Illinois Gas (NICOR) a large successful company.
Charles was a devote Lutheran and attended church every Sunday. He was President of the
congregation and did a lot of the work to keep the Lutheran Church alive in Palos Heights.