VALE ROY BECKER – LIFE MEMBER
The Club has been saddened to learn of the passing of our oldest Life Member Roy Becker.
Roy was 94 years and 8 months old at the time of his death on 28 October 2025. He leaves behind Maudie, his loving wife of 69 years, and their 3 children and many grand-children.
There is no doubt Roy embodied the RISE Values – RESPECT, INCLUSION, SERVICE, EXCELLENCE.
Roy came to the Leighton Club as a Juvenile parent (aka Nipper Parent), providing invaluable assistance to the Club’s Juvenile Director in 1972/73. The next year he became Juvenile Director himself and was awarded Best First Year Member. He was Juvenile Director for 6 years. As well as looking after the Leighton juveniles, he also assisted the Port Beach juveniles and the State Juvenile Team, including serving as State Juvenile Team Instructor.
Roy was always calm and measured and gave reliable assistance to all. He consistently had an enthusiastic attitude which increased the morale of members. He inspired the club’s juveniles with his enthusiasm. This period saw the retention of many future outstanding competitors for the Club. When the Fremantle Beach Relay Team was inducted into the SLSWA Hall of Fame in 2017, Mark Nolan fittingly credited Roy with inspiring him and others to achieve their potential.
Like many others, Roy stayed with the Club after his own children left the Nippers. He was awarded his Bronze Medallion on 14/12/1974 and from 1978/79 to 1985/86 was Chief Instructor (Manager Education). In this role he produced and organised instruction programs that ensured members were well prepared for their assessments.
He was co-organiser of Club Camps and organised club training sessions to improve the fitness and skills of members.
One of our early female members remembers “Mr Becker” fondly.
““Mr Becker” welcomed me to the beach the year female members were allowed to apply for active membership. Much like my own Dad, I respected him as a true gentleman, who was openly devoted to “his Maudie” and who provided guidance and encouragement without fuss. Who firmly, respectfully and quietly helped me find and then flourish in my place amongst the boys. He was my personal safety marshall – my Beach Dad …..and … I’ve never known a man who could run backwards in the sand so effortlessly and efficiently!
Rest now.”
That last comment references one of Roy’s other great achievements – umpiring. As a goal umpire, Roy officiated in 203 Senior games, including WAFL Grand Finals and State Games. He was inducted into the WAFL Hall of Fame in 1997.
Life Member Keith Bridle remembers Roy umpiring him and his brother Cliff in the 1960s.
Roy was always fit. He had a slight build that belied his athletic ability.
In 1987, he won the Australian Over 55 Beach Sprint and Beach Flags double!
Roy was elected by his peers as a Club Life Member in 1989.
As well as Club involvement, Roy joined the SLSWA Board of Examiners as an instructor, assessor and carnival official. He was awarded Life Membership of SLSWA in 1993.
Roy touched so many lives, especially those who came through the Club in the 1970s and 1980s. These are some comments made about Roy since his passing:
“I reflect on the life of such a lovely man. He always had a smile on his face, and a nice word to say, was hard working, officiating more often than not and had the best casual beach walk/march of all. Missed from the beach for many years now, Vale Roy, RIP”
“Very sad news, deepest sympathy to the Becker family, a true legend I grew up with”.
“Very sad to hear of Roy’s passing. He trained me for years”.
“Very sad, Roy was an absolute champion. Most likely responsible for so many great results for the Club. Qualification wise and beach, namely march past. A club legend”.
“Roy Becker was my first coach taught me heaps he drove me to state training for a number of years great man great coach in surf life saving and and footy umpiring Great man Condolences to the families”
“So sad, he was a wonderful man.”
“So sad to hear of the passing of Roy. Roy was a great influence to me in the early years at the club, wonderful gentleman and club person. I wish to pass on all our love and condolences to the Becker family”.
“RIP the great Roy Becker. What a gentleman. Juvenile Director for many years and a one of my earliest mentors/role models. We were all very lucky to have him at Leighton and Fremantle Surf Clubs”.
“Roy touched so many lives from the young to the old”.
“Sad news of a truly remarkable person. All he ever wanted to do was help, help, help. A great mentor for me and many others”.
“A great man now at rest”.
RIP Roy Becker
The Funeral for Roy Becker will be held at Oakwood Funerals Chapel, 506 Marmion St, Booragoon this TUESDAY (11.11.2025) at 2:00pm